After the '89 Worlds, I was able to speak with the talented Olga Strazheva.

:M- Olga, what sparked you to become a gymnast?

OS- My love of ice cream.

M- Have you a favorite apparatus?

OS- I am an avid reader of science fiction. Sometimes I stub my toe on the beam. It doesn't hurt.

M- You seem to be a very serious and determined girl. Is there any time for fun and games? My teammates and I enjoyed a game of soccer the other day. It ended early, though, because I kicked the ball into Baitova's face. Doesn't she look like a young Angela Landsbury? Yes, she does. Who is your closest friend?

OS- Everyone is my friend. I never avoid hot debates, so I mustn't be picky about the losers I hang around. Do you like my earrings? I just got them yesterday, they remind me of China in the spring.

M- That's really exciting. Now, your one-armed handstand on beam, is it difficult?

OS- Quite. It takes tremendous concentration and a well-balanced meal. Sometimes, during the handstand, I'll see Boguinskaia making funny faces and I'll screw up my Healy twirl. And that's not a move you want to screw up.

M- How does your day begin?

OS- Well, I wake up around 7, warm-up, eat and study. Not necessarily in that order. It's very exciting, I don't know what it means yet.

M- Is there any special thought or story you'd like to share with our readers?

OS- When I purchase shoes, sometimes they are either too big or too small, it's quite annoying.I don't want to return them because they've already become a part of me. See, look at my shoes, aren't they too big? Look at this hole, it's shaped like Donald Duck. I'm hungry. Are we done yet? I have to go to the bathroom.

M- One more question. After you retire, what's up?

OS- I'd like to get a leotard to go with my shoes. As you know, gymnasts are the best athletes in the world, yet they never receive payment. That's why I'm learning how to play tennis. Oh, the humanity. What does it matter, the sport is corrupt, we're all going to be zapped by aliens from the planet Zeppa anyway.

Remember,

It's over when the phone stops ringing.

-Eight Wonder

What's wrong with this man?

A. He just watched Hilary Grivich perform.

B. De Tena just asked him out on a date.

C. He's listening to M.C. Hammer.

D. His dog ate his tax return.

Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869-1935)Richard Gory.

Whenever Richard Gory went down town,

We people on the pavement looked at him:

He was a gentleman from sole to crown,

Clean favored, and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed,

And he was always human when he talked;

But still he fluttered pulses when he said,

"Good Morning" and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich yes richer than a king

And admirably schooled in every grace:

In fine, we thought that he was everything

To make us wish that we were in his place

So on we worked, and waited for the light,

And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;

And Richard Gory, one calm summer night,

Went home and put a bullet through his head.

(ed-We like this poem)