Paul Hamm withdraws from Olympic team, with additional rotator cuff injury in his left shoulder, besides his right hand injury in May:
[quote]
"I'm dealing with a beat up body right now," Hamm said on a teleconference with reporters. "My hand was improving up to the training camp and things were starting to feel OK, but not to the point where I was feeling comfortable on any of the apparatus. Then you throw on top of that another injury and it's more than enough for me to feel completely out of my element."
[/quote]
Maybe Paul was favoring his right hand too much, and put too much additional pressure on his left shoulder.
[quote]
Paul Hamm said he first discussed his decision about withdrawing with Morgan and his parents over the weekend. He said the week he spent pushing in the gym after the Colorado Springs camp led to his second injury. He had been training with Morgan at Ohio State with Miles Avery, their personal coach as well as assistant Olympics coach. Hamm described his workouts last week as "laughable."
" That first day was OK, I was able to push through some things," said Paul Hamm. "But when I got to the next day and went to rings, I ended up straining my shoulder even worse. I was unable to do any of the ring strength parts I'd been able to do previously. And I noticed my other events were not coming together. Nothing was coming together as planned and I was taking a big step backwards."
Avery said Monday that he is very disappointed: "This comeback has taken the toll on his body. It almost makes it impossible for him to go and do a good job."
[/quote]
[quote]
"I have put my heart and soul into my comeback and done everything I could to get ready in time to compete in Beijing," Hamm said earlier in a statement. "After returning home from the preparation camp, I had a few physical setbacks, and it became clear to me that my physical preparations would not be sufficient to properly represent the United States and contribute to the team's efforts to win a medal."
Penny said he respected the difficult decision Hamm faced.
"Paul's comeback this year has been phenomenal, made even more impressive following the injury to his hand," Penny said in a statement. "He has raised the level of determination among the entire team to put forth a medal winning effort in China. We respect his decision at this time, which is being made to serve the best interests of all of the athletes involved."
Said U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Jim Scherr in a statement: "Paul Hamm is a great Olympic champion who has conducted himself with honor and integrity throughout his career.
"His inspiring comeback to win the Olympic gold medal in 2004 was one of the signature moments of the Athens Olympic Games. Equally inspiring is the manner by which Paul worked to try to regain his full competitive form for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Through his determination, perseverance and courage, Paul has set an example that will lift his teammates in Beijing."
Hamm was a favorite to contend for gold in the all-around again, and the team, fourth at the 2007 Worlds without the Hamms, was happy to have him back. When asked if he considered staying on for Beijing to help out the team event even if he couldn't compete in all-around, Hamm said it was obvious to him.
"They really needed me to compete in rings," said Hamm. "I couldn't do it. The best thing I could do for the team was to make this decision now and let the alternate get ready."
[/quote]
Raj Bhavsar had been named on the team now, solid AA, he finished 3rd at the USA Gymnastics Olympic Trials:
[quote]
Meanwhile, the team will go forward with Raj Bhavsar, who was named to the team later Monday to replace Paul Hamm. He was one of three alternates named at trials, joining David Durante and Alexander Artemev. The other four team members are Joe Hagerty, Jonathon Horton, Justin Spring and captain Kevin Tan.
Spring said Monday based on what he saw at the camp, he thought Paul might not be healthy in time for the Games: "I knew it was definitely a possibility. I said to him, 'You have some work ahead to do, man.' And he knew it."
[/quote]
The men's gymnastics competition begins August 9, the day after the Olympic Opening Ceremonies.
