Morgan Hamm

Vikings "Salute to America" U.S. Gold Medal-winning gymnast Shawn Johnson will be named an Honorary Minnesota Viking and will sound the “Gjallarhorn” at the start of Sunday’s Vikings-Packers contest as part of the Vikings' "Salute to America" promotion at the Metrodome.

Johnson, along with fellow U.S. gymnasts Nastia Liukin, Chellsie Memmel, Morgan Hamm, Paul Hamm, Shannon Miller, and Blaine Wilson  will join the US Gymnastics team on the field as part of the Vikings "Salute to America" day.

Later Sunday the world-renowned gymnasts will take center stage for the "2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars" at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center. The event offers fans a unique opportunity to see some of their favorite gymnasts perform live in an extraordinary sports and music extravaganza. (read more)

ESPN- After throwing out the first pitch Paul Hamm, right, and twin brother Morgan Hamm, both members of the U.S. gymnastics team, do back flips prior to the baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008, in Phoenix. Several members of the United States gymnastics team were on hand for the game.

Television Special And 36 City Tour To Bring The Country’s Greatest GymnastsTo Your Home Town For A Sports And Music Extravaganza That Pairs Spectacularly Choreographed Gymnastics Routines With Music From The Disney Music Group Including Live Performances By Hollywood Records Artist Jordan Pruitt And BuenaVista Records’ Artists KSM

New York, NY – Just back from China, the country’s most celebrated gymnasts including reigning World Champion Shawn Johnson, 9-time World Championship medalist Nastia Liukin, 2005 All-Around World Champion Chellsie Memmel, and Olympic medalist Morgan Hamm will join Paul Hamm, Shannon Miller, Blaine Wilson and the U.S. gymnastics team for The 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars. A nationally televised special airing on MyNetwork TV on September 19th from 8:00-10:00pm (EST) will kick off the two month trek across the United States bringing world class gymnastics and music from Disney’s hottest young recording artists to an arena near you.

The 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars will offer fans a unique opportunity to see some of their favorite gymnasts perform live in an extraordinary sports and music extravaganza. In addition to medal-worthy athletic routines the show will feature songs from the Walt Disney Records’ Disney Girlz Rock 2 CD and live performances from teen sensations Jordan Pruitt and KSM. Jordan's new album, Permission to Fly features the single "One Love" and is currently available exclusively at Limited Too stores.  KSM recorded the show’s theme song, “Hero in You,” a new pop/rock anthem written and produced by Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil of “High School Musical” fame.  KSM’s debut album is set for release in 2009.  (read more)

Morgan Hamm is confirmed for 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for men’s gymnastics

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., July 16, 2008 – USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) today reaffirmed Morgan Hamm’s status as a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for men’s gymnastics.  It has been determined that Hamm’s recent public warning by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) did not impact his qualification for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. 

“After a review by both USA Gymnastics and the USOC, there is agreement that the public warning Hamm received did not impact his qualification for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics.  “USA Gymnastics evaluated the impact of the ruling against the selection criteria for both participation in the Olympic Trials and ultimately his selection to our men’s Olympic team.  After thorough analysis, the Men’s Selection Committee determined that USADA’s ruling did not affect either of those decisions.”

“Our review of the process undertaken by USA Gymnastics showed that the approved Olympic selection procedures for men’s gymnastics were followed, and we fully support the findings,” said Steve Roush, chief of sports performance for the U.S. Olympic Committee. “We appreciate USA Gymnastics’ efforts to respect and consider the interests of all of the athletes potentially impacted by this decision.” (read more)

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." (read more)