Oleg Verniaiev provisionally suspended by FIG
Oleg Verniaiev (UKR) has been provisionally suspended by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). The suspension was confirmed on Monday morning by the federation in response to Gymnastics Now’s request for comment.
Per the FIG, the reigning Olympic parallel bars champion and all-around silver medalist “is provisionally suspended until the end of the procedure that is currently in progress. The FIG will not comment on an ongoing procedure.”
The reason for the suspension has not yet been disclosed, and Verniaiev has yet to comment on the situation.
While there is no information on how long the FIG’s investigation will take, when the final decision will be made, or how long the suspension could be for, this is a huge blow to Ukraine’s National Team in the Olympic year. Verniaiev has long been considered the country’s best chance at individual medals in Tokyo.
Last month, Verniaiev withdrew from the 2020 European Championships, which both the men’s and women’s Ukrainian teams eventually won. Ukraine’s National Team head coach, Gennady Sartynsky, said Verniaiev withdrew from the meet due to “minor injuries” and the need to finish his PHD dissertation, but per Gymnovosti, his FIG license was already listed as suspended on December 11. The competition was held from December 9 to 13.
