REUTERS- By Larry Fine

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) – Olympic all-around gymnastics champion Paul Hamm was thrilled his twin brother, Morgan, was named in the U.S. men’s team for Beijing on Sunday, marking their third Olympics in a row as team mates.

Paul Hamm, despite recovering from a broken hand, was named to the six-man team on Saturday at the end of the Olympic trials. Morgan Hamm, struggling with strained tendons in his left ankle, was one of four gymnasts placed on the team Sunday.

“We’ve had a great career, done everything together,” the 25-year-old Olympic champion told reporters. “We made this comeback together and now we’re on the Olympic team. It feels so good.

“We don’t have to deal with that circumstance where one of us makes it and the other doesn’t. That would have been devastating.”

Paul Hamm petitioned U.S. selectors to be placed directly on team and he was, pending demonstration of his fitness next month.

The Hamm brothers embarked on comebacks last year with an eye toward following up their U.S. team silver medals from Athens at Beijing, and both have had to deal with injuries.

Morgan Hamm suffered a torn pectoral muscle late last year and is now competing with strained tendons in his left ankle.

Paul Hamm broke a bone in his right hand at the U.S. national championships earlier this year and cannot resume gymnastics for another week.

“The family journey has been incredible,” Paul Hamm said. “What Morgan and I have gone through, the comeback, the injuries and finally have this whole process pay off.

“We’re going to work our butts off.”

Posted in: Gymnastics, Morgan Hamm, Paul Hamm, Press |