[exo762]

You see, you've stepped onto the ground rich with history and connotations. Growing up I saw in newspapers photos of children with flippers instead of legs. I've heard kids being called "Chernobyl kid" on streets by other kids. "Chernobyl kid" as in insult meant "damaged kid".

More generally term "Chernobyl kid" means (or used to mean) something very specific: person who was affected by radiation in a way which caused mutations. For mutations to be caused, radiation exposure needs to happen during prenatal development. Just being displaced with your family to other region does not make you a Chernobyl kid. That's why I mentioned wrong generation.

We are talking about boxers who have exceptional physical characteristics. When you talk about Chernobyl in this context, things like antagonist "Rocky IV" pop into mind. Juiced on chems. Or a mutant.

Calling a world champion a mutant is an insult. He has made it to the top thanks to hard work, talent, and smart management.

[fjolthor]

I see. What I was intending with that comment was to point out that despite being a child who was exposed to radiation in Chernobyl, that child (children, Vitali was there too) went on to be one of the most physically accomplished humans currently alive.