Belarussian Native a Gymnastics Whiz

A broken ankle prevented Vladimir Artemev from participating with his Russian national gymnastics team in the 1978 Olympics. But now, through his only child, Alexander, he believes he has a second chance to realize the dream of a gold medal.

The 12-year-old Tarzana boy, affectionately known as Sasha, recently placed first for his age group in the 1998 Boys Junior National Championships held in Michigan.

The performance excited the boy’s relatives and supporters, who believe he just might represent the United States as a gymnast in the 2004 or 2008 Olympic Games.

They were not upset that since Sasha has yet to obtain U.S. citizenship, tournament rules prevented him from receiving a gold medal at the championships.

“He’s a great athlete and a great kid,” said Dennis McIntyre, men’s program manager at USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for competitions.

Speaking little English, the father-son duo left the city of Minsk in the former Soviet republic of Belarus in 1994 so Sasha could pursue a gymnastics career in the U.S.

Although his parents are still married, Sasha’s mother, Svetlana, lives in Chile as coach of the Chilean women’s rhythmic gymnastics national team.

Vladimir and the boy plan to apply next year for U.S. citizenship to allow Sasha to compete in national competitions and give him a chance to participate in the Olympics as an American.

Sasha is schooled at home by a private teacher. Vladimir, 37, coaches him more than five hours each day on the fine points of tumbling, flipping and riding the pommel horse.

“He’s a tough coach, but I like that,” Sasha said. “He must be tough sometimes because I like goofing around. When I’m lazy, he reminds me that I could hurt myself if I don’t concentrate better.” But one would never guess that Sasha wastes much time during practices at Monarch Gymnastics training center in Agoura Hills.

“He has such a beautiful form,” Vladimir said.