Oleg Verniaiev was slated to go to all four of the all-around World Cups in the hopes of winning an additional Olympic spot for Ukraine. He finished second at the American Cup with a fall but will get some unexpected rest now that the Stuttgart World Cup has been canceled. Verniaiev talked to iSport.ua about this competitive season and the potential changes the pandemic might bring to the Olympic Games.
Q: This weekend, you competed at the first World Cup in the US and took the second place. What do you think about your performance?
A: It was a difficult competition. I actually skipped training in the beginning of February because of my health, my back. So, in January, I was in better shape than now. Plus, there was a long and difficult travel and I didn’t quite have enough stamina.
Q: You fell on bars, your signature event.
A: I decided to downgrade a bit on bars but it ended up as usual. When I don’t change the routines, it ends up being better than when I downgrade somewhere. I’m not back to the needed shape yet, I didn’t have enough stamina.
Q: There are three more World Cups that will decided additional Olympic spots. Are you planning on competing at all the events?
A: Yes, for now, my participation in the three events that are left is planned. Maybe, if I’ll see that I’ll guarantee an Olympic spot before that, we’ll think about the last competition in Tokyo. Although, I would like to go to Japan to try the equipment out, to see the crowds, to get a feel before the Olympics.
Q: If you’ll manage to secure a spot, will it be given to one of the all-arounders or it’s better to use it for Igor Radivilov and put the all-arounders on the team?
A: Doesn’t matter, really. The coaches will decide that. We have a young guy, Nazar Chepurny, and if he seriously improves in the half a year, I know from experience that it’s possible at this age, we can try putting four all-arounders on the team and let Igor not to bother and to work on just his two events.
Q: Are you planning on upgrading your routines before the Olympics?
A: I don’t know yet. You can plan for a long time but who knows how it’ll work out. Sometimes I can add a new elements in two weeks, and sometimes I can go without adding anything for half a year. We’ll see how my health will be, how the training will go.
Q: They say that the Olympics might take place without spectators.
A: Olympics Games without spectators are pointless. I don’t see the point of competing without spectators. Who are we to perform for? For what? No adrenaline, no emotions. It would be like a practice and not a competition. Of course, if such a decision is made, we won’t have a choice.
Q: Where else do you plan to compete in addition to World Cups?
A: We plan on competing at the European Championships, but other than that, I don’t know.
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