the best when they travel to St. Petersburg in Russia on a 16-day tour that will include training at the world renowned Zenith Gymnasium under several top Russian coaches.

Walid Mustafa, architect of the venture and coach of the local contingent which contains girls ranging in age from eight to 15, said yesterday that the instruction would be an invaluable tool in the students' advancement.

"Hopefully they'll be able to learn new techniques that can help with the skills they're already being taught,'' said Mustafa, who can be found putting his charges -- all members of the Bermuda Gymnastics Association (BGA) -- through rigorous routines six days a week at the Whitney School Gym.

"They will be training under coaches that have trained Olympic champions.

This gym is one of the best in the world and well renowned and respected.'' The 30-year-old coach, born in Washington D.C. but raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, has an eye on preparing a Bermuda team in time for the Olympics in Sydney, Australia in the year 2000.

He said the upcoming trip was but the start of his mission to increase competitiveness among Island's gymnasts against the rest of the world.

With a dedicated crop of youngsters, including 15-year-old Katy Wright and 14-year-old Laura Murphy, both of whom qualified for and competed at the United States National Championships, Mustafa is confident his goal can be achieved.

"If they continue at the rate they're going I'm hoping to be able to start competing in regional games very soon, the Pan American and Caribbean Games and hopefully in the next 18 months be at a level where we are very competitive,'' he added.

"My kids are in the gym 25 hours a week training and they work hard. The school has taken a 180 degree turn and the kids are now really developing to where even the parents are amazed and can hardly watch some of the moves their children are making.

"These guys are dedicated and strive to get the most out of their talent through which epitomises a true athlete.

"The more we compete with the US the better we get and if we can compete against them then we'll be able to do so against anybody. For this trip we have to thank Whitney and Mr. Branco of Kodak in giving great support.

However, much more exposure to overseas competition is needed to get where we want to be.'' As with several other local sports restricted to performing and practising indoors, gymnastics, emphasised Mustafa, badly needed a purpose built facility.

He noted such a facility would accelerate the progression of the sport and increase its following.

The team is due to depart next Monday and return on July 26, with stop-overs in Amsterdam and New York for rest and relaxation on the way back.

RUSSIA BOUND -- Ten of the above gymnastics group will be off to St.

Petersburg in Russia next week to train under some of the country's top coaches at the famous Zenith Gym. Standing (from left) are: Kirsten Mitchell, Nicola White, Nikia Manders, Leila Wadson, Laura Murphy and Katy Wright.

Sitting, Nicola Arden, Megan Aguiar, Maria Darby, Sasha Christensen and Christina White.