Paul Hamm

Associated Press

 Olympic men's gymnastics champion Paul Hamm will get to defend his title in China thanks to a performance yesterday in Colorado Springs, Colo., that ended any doubt about whether his broken right hand had healed.

 Eight weeks after the (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)

ROB CARR | The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA | Paul Hamm is so good, he can make the Olympic team without stepping on the floor.

The reigning Olympic gold medalist, who had to sit this week's trials out with a broken hand, was selected for the U.S. team for the Beijing Games on Saturday, along with Jonathan Horton. The rest of the six-man team and/or a training squad will be announced today.

"It's definitely a little bittersweet for me," said Hamm, who still has to show he's physically ready to compete at a July 22 training camp. "It makes me feel good knowing I'm officially on the team. Now I can just focus on my recovery and getting back in shape." (read more)

KUSA TV, 9NEWS Anyone who watched the Summer 2004 Olympics remembers the gymnasts that looked and sounded exactly alike. Paul and Morgan Hamm joined Susie Wargin to talk Olympic trials and a new initiative they have joined.

The Hamm twins will be 26 in September and are looking to return to the Olympic Games in 2008 after they both won medals in Athens.

Paul is currently working through a broken hand injury and will miss the Olympic trails coming up, however, he's rehabbing diligently and can petition to be on the team once he is ready to compete again.

The Hamm's are also a part of another team: the Right to Play program. It's an athlete-based, international humanitarian organization emphasizing sports to help the development of children in underprivileged areas of the world. The goal is to help children build life skills and foster peace for children and communities worldwide. (read more)

ESPN, HOUSTON -- Whenever Paul Hamm mentions Beijing or the Olympics, he's quick to throw in an "if."  As in, "If I qualify." Or, "If I make the team."  Uh, Paul, have you seen the scores you've been putting up since you came back? Not only are the other Americans expecting you to be with them at the Beijing Olympics, most figure you'll be going as the U.S. champion.

Four years after winning his last national title, Hamm is a heavy favorite to pick up another when the U.S. gymnastics championships begin Thursday night. Never mind that he took 2½ years off after winning the gold medal at the Athens Olympics. He's routed the competition everywhere he's gone this year, and most expect more of the same at nationals.

"He's like the Terminator in this sport. If he hits, it's not going to be possible to touch him he's so good," Jonathan Horton said after Wednesday's workout on the competition floor. "I always say I don't go to any competition to finish second. But if I don't beat Paul, I won't be upset at all. He's incredible." (read more)