Competitive sport and studying: from the Olympic Games to the lecture hall

Oleg Zernikel is a successful pole vaulter, a sports soldier in the German Armed Forces and a Bachelor's student of Environmental Sciences at RPTU in Landau.In this RPTU story, he explains how he discovered his passion for competitive sport and why he sticks to his studies despite his busy schedule and sporting career.

When I was presented with the medal at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome, I could hardly believe it. In my 15 years in competitive sport, I have already experienced many competitions. Every competition is different. Anything can happen. There are highs and lows and I never know what will happen. I was all the more proud when I realized that I had won bronze in the pole vault this time. My second international medal. After that, the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris were already on the horizon. I made it to the final, an incredible experience. My next goal: the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Everything back to square one: the starting shot for competitive sport

Looking back, I would never have thought that I would be where I am today. My father - an athlete himself, albeit not in competitive sport - encouraged me to take up athletics. I was 13 years old at the time. I had emigrated from Kazakhstan to Germany with my family just a few years earlier. The quality of life there was poorer and the country was characterized by corruption. We knew that we would be better off somewhere else. And when we arrived at the refugee accommodation in Germany, we experienced it that way. We felt safe and in good hands. But without friends and my familiar surroundings, I felt lonely at first. It was a time in my life when I was looking for recognition and connection.

With this emotional chaos, I stood next to my athletics coach in Germany. I had already enjoyed athletics in Kazakhstan, but to my surprise I soon discovered my passion for the sport. My coach quickly realized that I had even more potential. She suggested I exchange ideas with her fellow coach and try pole vaulting. That was the start of my path into competitive sport. Competitions, championships and my first successes followed. It felt good.

With motivation for competitive sport and plan B in my luggage to success

After an injury to my foot, the doctor treating me in 2011 advised me to stop competitive sport. That was out of the question for me - fortunately! Just three years later, I won my first international medal at the 2014 U20 World Championships in Eugene (USA). And thanks to the motivation of my family and my pole vault coach, I was able to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

I can now make a living from competitive sport thanks to sponsorship contracts and my work as a sports soldier in the German Armed Forces. After my basic training, I initially joined with the rank of marksman. I am now a non-commissioned officer and represent the Bundeswehr at sporting competitions. I particularly appreciate this financial security after my family and I emigrated to Germany and we also had financial difficulties at times. That's why it was important for me to have a plan B for my future alongside competitive sport. Either with a career in the German Armed Forces or in environmental sciences.

Competitive sport and studies: environmental sciences out of conviction

I have always been interested in science, mathematics, physics and biology and read books about them in my private life. That's why I'm studying environmental sciences. I think the course combines all my interests, is forward-looking and very relevant to our world. In addition, a training colleague also studied environmental sciences at RPTU in Landau and had nothing but good things to say about it.

I really want to get a degree. But it's not easy for me to juggle constant travel, competitive sport, the army and my studies. Especially when important deadlines such as exams and competitions take place at almost the same time. Through competitive sport, I'm used to being disciplined about my goals and I've learned to deal with pressure. So I can juggle everything well. And at RPTU I have the freedom to organize my studies in a way that suits me.

That's why, despite all the stress of competitive sport, I can give advice to anyone who is thinking about studying: Do what I did and study what really interests you. Never lose sight of your goal and find something that you enjoy. Then you'll stay motivated even when times are tough.

Text:Lisa Buu