Scherbo Criticizes Belarus Officials

World champion gymnast Vitaly Scherbo, winner of six Olympic gold medals in 1992, lashed out Tuesday at sports officials in Belarus who are demanding he turn over 30% of his earnings.

Scherbo, in Toronto for an exhibition on Friday, said he learned of the news in a telephone call to his wife, Irina, at home in Minsk.

“I work like a buffalo and they try to take what peanuts I make away from me,” Scherbo said. “I don’t trust anybody. I make all the contracts myself.”

Scherbo said he earned $50,000 for a 20-city U.S. tour this summer.

Scherbo, 21, said his wife was told by former Olympic gymnast Nelli Kim, who heads an umbrella agency for gymnastics in Belarus, that he must hand over 30% of his winnings this year.

Scherbo thought he had worked out a different arrangement with the federation.

“After the Olympics, I spoke with my federation, not with Nelli Kim, somebody else. We made an agreement I will give them 10%. But it will be next year,” said Scherbo. “I don’t want to give money to my federation. But I said next year I would begin to do it.”

Scherbo said he was worried about what may happen when he goes home to Minsk next week.

“A few years ago, when I competed for the Soviet Union, if I would say something they would just kick me out of the team and replace me,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if I am Olympic or world champion.

“Definitely, even now, making these statements can jeopardize my relationship with the (gymnastics) federation. They may cut my major competitions where I could build my reputation and make some money.”