The Ukrainian gymnast spoke about the problems and obstacles of working with the leadership of the UFG
Ukrainian gymnast Oleg Vernyaev criticized the work of the leadership of the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation, noting problems and obstacles for athletes. Let us remind you that the vice president of men’s artistic gymnastics is the Olympic champion Stella Zakharova.
“I can’t be silent anymore. I have been in the Ukrainian national team since 2010 and in all this time I do not remember a more corrupt and terrible vice-president of the federation than now. Constant obstacles, obstacles in the wheels, help is blocked, initiatives are slowed down.”
“The Ukrainian Championships cost 6.6 million for about 50 athletes, without the participation of Olympians, this is kind of normal. And when the media starts asking questions about where the money went, it turns out that it’s my fault, as if I bought the media.”
“Employing “ghosts” who have never been on site for a day is in the order of things. And if the head coach asks a question who it is, he is immediately told to remain silent. Sometimes it seems that soon the team will have to ask permission to even just breathe. Issues are resolved only when I directly contact the Minister, for which I am very grateful to him. But it’s not ok. This is the direct responsibility of the federation.”
“Being an Olympic champion, world champion and seven-time European champion, I have to ask almost on my knees for permission to go to a competition with a coach from the vice-president of the federation. And even when I explain that my coach is the head coach of the Ukrainian national team and that I am ready to go with another coach who can help, they refuse me. They only allow me to travel with a personal trainer, knowing full well that I will not do this, because I understand that he must stay and work with the national team.”
“And this despite the fact that the same person on all social networks declares that now everything is being done for the development of the sport, and that everything will be right in the national team. Honestly, it’s painful and funny to read this. But I still don’t understand how to deal with this and how to stop this chaos. If everything remains this way, gymnastics will become just a sport for health, and not a sport that brings Olympic medals to Ukraine.”
“PS: I forgot to add, this is a personal dislike for me and a specific coach. In principle, they didn’t even sign him a scholarship as a coach for his athlete’s medal, which he received at the European Championships.”
“PPS: And the second thing I want to ask: where is the coach whom she so persistently arranged for to be the head coach of the women’s team? I haven’t seen him in the hall for a long time, maybe he went somewhere? Yes, you guessed it right, he won’t come back.”
“There is a war in our country, people are dying. And I’m here with it. Sorry”.
At the 2024 Games in Paris, Vernyaev took fifth place in the pommel horse. The Ukrainian also finished eighth in the individual all-around and parallel bars. As part of the Ukrainian national team, Oleg took fifth place in the team all-around final.
At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Vernyaev won gold in the uneven bars exercise and also took bronze in the all-around. Also in his career is the 2014 world champion title in parallel bars and seven European champion titles. The athlete expressed a desire to stay in shape and compete at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Source: Sportarena
I’m Todderic Kirkman, a journalist and author for athletistic. I specialize in covering all news related to sports, ranging from basketball to football and everything in between. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, I have become an invaluable asset to my team. My ambition is to bring the most up-to-date information on sports topics around the world.
