“I will return again”

The word “tragedy” is used much too often in sports. It’s tragic to lose a match in the last seconds, it’s tragic to be eliminated in an important competition only by goal difference, and so on. However, it rarely means real tragedy.

Oleg Velyky, center back of HSV Hamburg, really knows what tragedy means. In 2003, the Ukrainian-born Velyky was diagnose skin cancer. He never gave up.

After nearly a year of therapy, the doctors said that he was healthy again and that he won his fight against cancer. Only a few months later he won EHF Cup with his former club, Tusem Essen.

After Essen was relegated due to financial problems, he signed a contract with Rhein Neckar Löwen Mannheim. Velyky also received German nationality. After his first tournament for his new national team – the 2005 World championship in Tunisia – a series of injuries began.

Difficult path

In 2006 Velyky could not play the Euro because of a serious ligament injury, he missed six months. Right before the 2007 WCh in Germany he had another ligament injury in the foot and could not play.

The handballer had very high hopes before Euro2008 in Norway. Velyky was the best German player during the preparation period, and right before the start he signed a new contract with HSV Hamburg. The club change was scheduled by the end of the season, but the clubs agreed that he could change earlier.

In Norway Velyky played only four minutes in the first match of Germany. Once again: a torn ligament forced him to abandon the tournament, return home and he had to be operated.

Shocking news

However, all these injuries are nothing compared to the shocking news he received just now: he was diagnosed cancer once again. According to his club, HSV Hamburg, Velyky was operated last week. Now he starts therapies again.

The player does not lose faith and he doesn’t think of giving up at all:

“I will not wail about my fate. I still see my life in a positive way and I’m still optimistic. My doctors said that I would be able to play handball afterwards if the therapy goes all right. I will return again.”

HSV's support

The club of Velyky, Hamburg, is shocked by the news:

“This is really tragic,” said coach Martin Schwalb. “We will help Oleg and his family with everything they need,” added the president of HSV, Andreas Rudolph.