If Nikolai Andrianov is a gymnast from God, because even in childhood he stood out not only for his bad behavior and indifference to studying, but most of all for the beauty of his performances, then today's absolute leader of Russian men's team Alexei Nemov in his childhood had to work hard even on the easy elements. Yevgeniy Nikolko, his coach, said: "At the beginning Lyosha did not justify the hopes."

However, everything in this world is relative, because already at the age of 16(!) Alexei competed at 1993 Senior World Championships in Birmingham. So, finally the hopes were justified?

Interesting what our handsome, young '95 World champion on vault, multiple European champion on different events, 1996 Russian champion think before the competition?

A - I think of girls. I think of them all the time (laughing). Just kidding, all thoughts are about the exercise.

Q - Since you've mentioned that, which girls do you like? Do you have a girlfriend?

A - I like the beautiful ones! But I don't have a girlfriend yet.

Q - It seems like you do not worry while on the podium. Nerves of steel?

A - I don't know why, but I really do not worry. Probably because I feel that I will achieve something big in the sport.

Q - For example?

A - I would like, after winning the major competitions, to compete like other famous gymnasts (and famous athletes, in general) for any foreign sportclub, live, let's say, in Germany or France. But during the championships to compete for Russia, of course.

Q - When did you start gymnastics?

A - At six, like everybody. Of course, I was dreaming of soccer or hockey, but my mom said firmly "We are going to a gymnastics club!" She took me to VAZ¹. There at the gymn club my first coaches were Aleksandr Anverovich Musaev and Irina Ivanovna Shestakova. When I was in third grade, Yevgeniy Grigorievich Nikolko became my personal coach.

Q - The men's and women's teams head coach Leonid Arkaev for twenty years has had a strict strategy: a good gymnast can develop only in Krugloe Ozero training camp. You are there since you were 14. How did your lifestyle change throughout these years?

A - The hardest thing is to overcome the monotony. Workouts are three times a day. Walks. TV. Boombox. Books, I read everything. I also am a second year student at the Physical Culture Department in Toliatti Pedagogical Institute, but I rarely get time to visit my hometown, maybe twice a month. I would like to learn English very much. I have a lot of friends from other countries, but we can barely understand each other.

Q - What language did you study at school?

A - French. But you can imagine how we studied with all those everyday practices...

Q - Do you miss home?

A - Very much! I try to call my mom as often as I can. She came to Krugloe Ozero a few times. But actually she is a nurse in a kindergarten. She is very kind, always worries about me, as well as about my four cousins.

Lyrical digression by Yevgeniy Nikolko:

We understand each other without even saying a word, I gave him complete independence, he does not need any help with getting concentrated during the competitions, he does it himself. Alyosha is a good guy, but still is very stubborn. He is difficult. One needs a special approach to him. I always tell him - if you don't get something, better ask, don't suffer.

Everybody sees that Nemov's performances are complex and confident. I have special feelings about him. I feel that he can become a star. In life Lyosha is one person - he is fun, jokes around, but in gym he is the opposite - stubborn, sometimes angry. But this is the indicator of talent.

Leonid Yakovlevich Arkaev does not like very much to let gymnasts skip practices. But I persuade him to let Lyosha go to Toliatti for at least a couple of days. He gets livelier, freshens up. I am touched to see his face when he sits down behind the wheel of his car. The car is like a toy to him, he gets delighted as a child. Lyosha was inconsolable, when somebody stole the tires from his car right here at the camp. But it was alright, he overcame it. The "wound" had healed.

Q - Why is he having problems with the compulsories?

A - He just does not like it! Actually, nobody likes this "obligation", it is kind of dreary. Say, during the world championships he received the highest total in the optionals, but because of the mistakes in the compulsories did not get to the all-around finals. We are very pleased that during the Russian championships Lyosha won the optionals.

Q - Alexei, you will be 20 on the 28th of May...

A - Telling the truth, I don't like to celebrate birthdays. I get embarassed with the attention I receive. The New Year celebration is quite the opposite. Everyone is having fun!

Q - What kind of food do you like?

A - I am not a gourmet, I treat the food philosophically, with the Olympian calm.

Q - Many say that "Krugloe Ozero" is the place of the voluntary incarceration. Do you think so?

A - If you want to get the results - be patient and don't whine. Whoever endures it, will be on the top.

Q - In just a few days the Russian team flies to the World Championships in Puerto Rico. Are you expecting to get any gold there?

A - Of course, I just must not allow any mistakes. By the way, I am anxious to leave, I like summer, hot weather, and to swim in a pool with cool and clear water!

¹VAZ = Volzhskiy Avtomobilnyi Zavod (Volga Automobile-building Plant)

Note: Alyosha and Lyosha are the short (nick) names for Alexei.