Name Pronunciation: oh-LEG ahv-see-YAH-neh-kov 
Birthdate: 01/23/70 
Birthplace: Moscow, Soviet Union 
Residence:  Newark, Delaware
Height & Weight: 6'0"(180 CM), 163 lbs. 

When Oleg was 4, he contracted severe pneumonia.   After he recovered, he was sent to Meter  rink to begin skating to help his health.   He skated as a singles skater until the 3rd grade.   Disappointed (for various reasons) while training at TSKA rink, Oleg applied and was accepted to enter a ballet college at Bolshoi Theatre.   It was Olympic champion dancer and now coach, Liudmila Pakhomova who persuaded him to continue to pursue skating. 

Oleg was one of the last students of Liudmila Pakhomova.   She was his coach from age 10-16.  He remembers training with Pahkomova as being very quiet.   He recalls that she never raised her voice or shouted and she taught her pupils together, not separated into junior or senior groups.  Either sick or healthy, Pakhomova was always on the ice, wrapped up, teaching her students.

Before pairing with Anjelika in 1994; Oleg achieved some success with previous partners.   He finished 3rd at the 1988 World Junior Championships with partner Maria Orlova.   He was 3rd at the 1994 Russian Nationals with partner Elena Kustarova.    

Oleg had worked with a number of coaches including Svetlana Alexeeva, Natalia Dubova and Pahkomova. At the time of his pairing with Anjelika, he was also contacted by Natalia Dubova as a possible partner for Tanya Navka.   

Although his decision was made quickly, it was made with the help of his parents and he chose to come to the US to skate in Linichuk's group with Anjelika.