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ALEXANDER BERESCH
Alexander Beresch (born October 12, 1977, in Pervomaisk; died February 29, 2004, in Kiev), also called
Oleksander Beresch, was a gymnast from Ukraine.
Coached by former Soviet World Champion Igor Korobchinsky, Beresch began competing internationally for Ukraine in
1997, winning a bronze medal on the high bar at his first World Championships. Over the next several years he became
the preeminent male gymnast on the Ukrainian team, medalling at the World Cup several times.
Beresch's breakout year was 2000. In this year he was the European all-around and high bar champion, as well as the
bronze all-around medalist at the 2000 Olympics. His contributions to the Ukrainian team helped them win their first
team medal, a silver, in Sydney. He continued to turn in strong performances after the Olympics, winning three medals at
the 2001 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and winning the high bar gold at the 2000 World finals in Paris.
In February 2004, when Beresch was driving through Kiev, his Peugot was struck by a speeding car traveling over 90
miles per hour. He was killed. His passenger, teammate Sergei Vyaltsev, survived with critical injuries.
Beresch's death was met with shock and sorrow by the international gymnastics community. Former Ukrainian Gymnastics
Federation president Ludmilla Tourischeva issued a public statement,
saying "there are no words to express our grief." Several memorials to Beresch were held, including an emotional video
tribute at the 2004 European Championships.
For more information, visit his
profile page on the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique website.
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