Late last year, Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation launched the project named "Interview with a gymnast". We talked with those gymnasts who will represent Azerbaijan at the upcoming European Games, and learned a lot about their life, as well as how they are preparing for this great event.

Not so much time left to the beginning of the Games that promise to become a precedent in the world of sports. The fact that Baku has had the honor to host the first Games is of great importance, and this means that the Azerbaijani athletes will perform with special, incomparable feelings.  

Among the twenty sports, including non-Olympic, gymnastic disciplines will be presented at the competitions. These are rhythmic gymnastics, acrobatic and aerobic gymnastics, trampoline gymnastics, as well as women's and men's artistic gymnastics.

Fore gymnast will represent Azerbaijan in trampoline events - following the format of the competitions, they will perform both individually and in synchronized events. Today, we will talk with one of the possible participants of the Games, Oleg Piunov, who together with Ilya Grishunin won "bronze" of the 2014 World Cup, held in Portugal.

Tell us how you got involved in gymnastics. Why did you choose this sport?

In 2000, not far from my house a trampoline gymnastics’ section was opened. Since I was a vigorous child, my parents decided to take me to the trainings, so that I could engage myself in something. At that time I was seven years old.

How do you think, could you perform in any other sport?

I think so. Since childhood, I love football and table tennis. I remember I was running to the football workouts, doing trampoline gymnastics in parallel.

How do you deal with your emotions on the day of competition? Have you any special secrets of self-control?

Yes, but then, these are the secrets (laughing).

What do you think is the most important aspect in any sport?

In professional sports, there is no such thing as "important" and "not important." Each detail is important. You need to pay attention to everything.

How dangerous is to be engaged in professional sports, or does it depend on the sport?

Each sport is dangerous, one must be very careful. Wrong push or landing may affect the health of the athlete.

Do you have an idol in the sport?

Yes, I have. This are Alexander Moskalenko and Irina Karavaeva [first Olympic champions in Trampoline Gymnastics].

Tell us about your sports plans for the near future.

Plans for the future - the European Games. Enhanced trainings, everything is being done for the result. I would like to get up on a pedestal, raise the flag and hear the national anthem of the country. In turn, I will do everything to implement this plan.

What do the European Games mean for you and how do you prepare for them?

Again, I will say that I have European Games in the foreground, the more they will be carried out at home.

If we move a little bit away from sport - do you have any aspirations or dreams that you want to achieve?

Like any human being, I have a dreams. I dream of a large, loving family. To spend every hard work’s evening with a wife and children in a quiet, beautiful place, in a lovely house. All you need for happiness.

Are you able to combine sport with normal life?

Unfortunately, not always.

Tell us about your family.

Love parents madly. And thank them for everything.

Do you have a loved one?

Yes, I have.

What do your fans usually shout, and want do you want to hear from them?

I would like to hear the cries of support - it's very helpful.

What would you like to tell them?

Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank them for believing in me and their support. I will try not to fail, because they worry about me.