By Caroline.

The Ukrainian Oleg Ostapenko (the former national trainer for the Ukraine) has been leading the Brazilian team for several years now - what has he brought to the team, and to you in particular? -It has been two years now since he brought his knowledge of top level gymnastics to us, and his experience will bring us closer to an Olympic medal. He's very demanding, if you want to train with him you need a lot of dedication.   What are your goals for the year 2003? -To get a medal at the World Championships, especially on floor, and to help Brazil qualify for the Olympic Games in Athens.   Nowadays more and more gymnasts are continuing to compete in their twenties - do you think you will do the same thing after the Olympics in Athens? -I don't know yet; at the moment I only want to continue until Athens. After that, we'll see - it'll depend on my results. In Brazil, an important club might support and invest in your work, or if you manage to get a firm to sponsor you, it's possible to earn money. But a gymnast's career is short and it's also necessary to think about life after gymnastics. I would like to become a trainer, and am pursuing studies in physical education with this end in mind.   If you hadn't been a gymnast, which sport would you have liked to practise? -Athletics, certainly; my mother used to play handball and did athletics, and my father played football. My parents have always supported me in my sporting endeavours.   What did you think of the competition in Paris? -I really liked it - the standard was high, and the atmosphere was great! If I could stay an extra day at Paris, I would try to get to know the town better as it is magnificent.   Do you have any final words? -I would like to pass on a message of encouragement for all the young gymnasts out there, to let them know that they must be determined and devote themselves fully to this sport, as they can only succeed through hard work. Finally I would like to thank all those people who have encouraged me.   Daiane IN BRIEF   Full name: Daiana Garcia Dos Santos. Nickname: Dai. Date of birth: 10th February 1983. Place of residence: Porto Alegre. Club : Le Gremio Nautico Uniao. Her trainers: Adriana Rita Alves and Eliseu Burteh. Her SVs: vault: 9.70 and 9.50; bars: 10.00; beam: 9.80; floor: 10.00. Height/weight: 1m 45 and 41 kg. Favourite film: « A Espera de um milagre » («la Ligne verte ») adapted from a novel by Stephen King, with actor Tom Hanks.   Main achievements: -2003 and 2002 : 4th on floor in the French Internationals. -2003 : world champion on floor. -2002 : 5th in Brazilian Nationals, with a gold medal on floor. -2001 : floor finalist at Worlds and 11th in the all-around. -2001 : 1st in the Pan-American Games. -1998 : 1st overall and 1st on vault in the 1998 South-American Games. -1998 : gold medal on floor in the 1998 Canberra Cup in Australia.