Vernyayev: Baku worthy of hosting World Cup qualification for Olympic Games
Baku is worthy of hosting the World Cup stages, which will be qualifying for the Olympic Games, Oleg Vernyayev, Ukrainian gymnast, world champion, three-time European champion, two-time champion of the first European Games, told Trend on February 20.
He said that at present, the main goal of the Ukrainian national team is to obtain the team license for the Olympic Games.
"Therefore, the coaching staff decided to test young talented athletes at this tournament and make them feel this situation. Our main goal is the team license. We all are working, preparing for the test tournament in Rio de Janeiro to perform there well and be qualified for the Olympic Games," Vernyayev added.
He said that this is his second visit to Baku.
"For the first time, I visited Azerbaijan during the first European Games. They left the vivid memories. It is always nice to come to Baku because there a lot of friends as in Ukraine,” the athlete emphasized.
“When we were invited to come to the World Cup, I thought that we would fail to visit Baku as the coach planned to be engaged in trainings. But when I came into the gym and told him about the invitation, he was very interested. We organized everything rapidly and came."
He said that Baku is worthy of hosting the World Cups in the future, which will be qualifying for the Olympic Games.
"Competitions are always held at a good level here,” he said. “I was not in the gym, but I was told about excellent conditions, facilities and a relaxation room.”
“There is a new, good and big hall,” he said. “There are many spectators and there will be even more in the finals.”
The FIG World Challenge Cup in Artistic Gymnastics kicked off in Baku on February 19 and is to end on February 21. As many as 45 male and 22 female gymnasts will compete for medals in apparatus finals of the World Challenge Cup.
In general, athletes from 19 countries are to participate in the event.
Men’s and women’s qualifications were held on the first two days of the competitions. The last day men's and women's apparatus finals will be held.
--
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz