Catching up with Ukraine’s Oleg Verniaiev before the American Cup

Gymnastike interviewed the youngest men's American Cup competitor, Oleg Veranaiaev of Ukraine, the day before the American Cup.  Although 18-year-old Oleg finished 6th after some mistakes, he showed a lot of potential.  Here’s a translation of the interview, which originally was in Russian. 


Oleg at the London test event in January 2012
Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images Europe

Gymnastike:  This is your first American Cup.  What are you goals here tomorrow?

Oleg:  To get through the meet with no falls, most important.  And to do all my difficulty.  And then we’ll see what happens. 

Gymnastike:  What have you been working on most in preparation for this competition?

Oleg:  My difficulty.  I’ve worked on that a lot.  And making sure that I’ll be more stable, so I don’t have any falls.

Gymnastike:  Have you made any upgrades to your routines?

Oleg:  . . . . I’ve added rings and high bar a little bit.  And that’s it. 

Gymnastike:  Ukraine finished fifth at the World Championships.  What do you think of Ukraine’s prospects for winning an Olympic medal?

Oleg:  We are trying, working as a team, and raising the bar, so that we can contend for an Olympic medal.  We will try.

Gymnastike:  Where do you think you can most contribute to the team in your goal of winning a medal?

Oleg:  I am trying everywhere, so that I can do my best and it will be the best for the team.  

Gymnastike:  Have you ever been to America?

Oleg:  Yes, this is my third time.  

Gymnastike:  Have you ever been to New York?

Oleg:     No, this is my first time.

Gymnastike:  What would you like to do while you are in New York?

Oleg:  . . . . I’d like to walk around the city.  Today, we drove through and I liked everything so much.  It’s so unusual and such a beautiful city.  I’d like to spend more time and walk around more but we don’t have much time because we are competing tomorrow and flying out the morning after.  

Gymnastike:  Thank you very much.

Oleg:  Thank you.