U.S. OLYMPIC FESTIVAL : LOS ANGELES--1991 : ATHLETES TO WATCH : Among 3,000 Competitors, Some Will Stand Out

DAVID ST. PIERRE

Men’s Gymnastics

Undoubtedly the most seasoned gymnast at the Festival, 24-year-old David St. Pierre is in his third year on the U.S. men’s national team. He competed for UCLA for four years and graduated in March with a degree in anthropology.

St. Pierre, from Culver City, has been training for the past nine months under former Soviet coach Henri Venitsyan at the Broadway Gymnastics School in Santa Monica. St. Pierre was a member of the U.S. national team for two years while at UCLA before missing the cut in 1990. Since working with Venitsyan, St. Pierre has finished sixth at the U.S. Winternationals and 17th last month at the Nationals.

Under Venitsyan, St. Pierre has made major changes in his routines, incorporating several movements that have the highest degree of difficulty. Although he did not make the 1991 World Championship team, St. Pierre is dedicating the next year in hopes of making the 1992 Olympic team.