Adopted American nordic skier Tatyana McFadden reunited with birth mother in Sochi

THIS is the incredible moment an American skier given up for adoption was reunited with her birth mother in Sochi for the first time in over 20 years.

American skier Tatyana McFadden is reunited with her birth mother in Sochi.

THIS is the incredible moment an American nordic skier given up for adoption in Russia was reunited with her birth mother in Sochi for the first time in over 20 years.

Tatyana McFadden finished fifth in the women's 12km sitting event but the biggest prize was waiting for her in the stands where she was hugged by her biological mother Nina Polevikova and other extended Russian relatives.

"It has been wonderful, it's a dream that I've always wanted," McFadden said.

"I've always thought about it and I can't believe it was possible, so it has been a fulfilling experience."

She later posted a photo of the smiling reunion on Instagram with the words: "Dreamed of this moment."

The 24-year-old was born paralysed from the waist down due to spina bifida and was left at a St Petersburg orphanage.

She learnt to walk with her hands and at the age of six was adopted by Deborah McFadden who worked for the US Department of Health and Human Sciences and who visited the orphanage.

Deborah was also in Sochi this week to meet McFadden's biological family after the cross country skier used her savings to pay for Nina, an aunt and cousins to fly to Sochi and stay for the Winter Paralympics.

It is also believed the director of the Russian orphanage where McFadden was abandoned as a baby was at the cross country course as part of the emotional gathering.

McFadden also competes in wheelchair sports and is one of the greatest athletes on the US Paralympic team.

Last year she became the first person to win the Boston, London, Chicago and New York marathons in the same year.

McFadden has won three gold, four silver and three bronze medals in wheelchair racing at the Paralympics, including three gold in the 400m, 800m and 1500m in London.