Interview with Oxana CHUSOVITINA (GER), by Vera Atkinson.

Interview with Oxana Chussovitina shortly after the Official announcement made on 10th October 2006, that the FIG Executive Committee has officially approved the change of her nationality from Uzbek to German.

 FIG : It is surely not an easy decision to take, Oxana, how do feel about it?

Well, this decision came as a result of all that has happened to me and my family over the last four years, and I must say, without the help and support of the gymnastics community in Germany, and of Dr. Peter Brüggemann in particular, my son Alisher could have been long gone. To all those people in Germany who helped him come back to life, and to all the International Gymnastics community who supported me all the way through to today, I am deeply grateful!

 FIG: What was the critical moment in yours and Alisher's life, and when?

 It was on the 23rd October 2002 when Alisher, then 3 years old, was admitted in the

 Kinderönkologie at Uni Klinik in Köln. The situation was really bad, a matter of life or death. It was Dr Brüggemann who secured a place for my son in the hospital and served a guarantee for the huge fees to be paid.

I did not and do not have any other choice than working hard to cover the fees. Alisher remained full time in the hospital for two years. Then we were allowed to take him home with Control examinations held every two weeks. Gradually, the frequency of these checks was reduced to one visit every three months.

On 18th November my son will be 7 years old. He is now a vital and playful first-year schoolboy, attends gymnastics classes occasionally and is dreaming to start practising football.

FIG: Which club are you competing for and who is your coach in Germany?

It is Turn team Toyota Köln and my coach is Janna Poljakova.

FIG: Has your husband Bahadir Kurbanov (Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympian in Wrestling, Greco-Ronal style)  finally joined you in Germany?

Yes, fortunately this has finally happened. During the first two, and most difficult years (2002-2004), he was visiting us from time to time, but didn't have the relevant visa to stay permanently in Germany.  Now he will also be competing in the Bundesliga.

FIG : What were your last achievements in Gymnastics, Oxana?

Gold medal on Vault and Bronze on Beam at the International in Moscow in May; Gold on Vault and two Finals in the World Cup in Ghent and highest All-around score in the four-way international in Belgium at the beginning of October.

FIG: Your ambitions for the World Championships in Aarhus?

To compete in the All-around and to do well. I keep competing for Alisher.