Olympic odds: Another Hamm out of Games

By Jordan Walters
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

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Any hopes the U.S. men’s gymnastics team had of winning a team medal at the Beijing Olympics likely disappeared when two-time Olympian Morgan Hamm withdrew from the team because of a chronic ankle problem, 10 days after his twin brother, Paul, withdrew because of a shoulder problem.

Hamm said he has bone spurs in his ankle, which is causing him extreme pain. He also has tibial tendinitis. Hamm said he received a cortisone shot to try and alleviate the pain in the ankle, but it was ineffective.

Hamm had received a warning July 3 from U.S. Anti-Doping Agency officials after receiving that cortisone shot (because he technically tested positive in a doping test), with the USADA saying he had not filed necessary paperwork to receive approval to get the shot. 

During the U.S. men's training session Wednesday, he appeared to crunch his ankle on an awkward landing on floor and immediately began grimacing. He quickly climbed off the podium to talk to his coach. He went through the rest of the workout, but only did a few more simple moves on floor.

"This has been an extremely hard decision for me to make," said Hamm, who is expected to retire. "I've given everything I can to be ready to compete at this Olympic Games. I put my heart and soul into gymnastics. To get here and be unable to perform because of an injury is extremely disappointing, but I'm a team player and I'm here to do whatever I can for this team."

 

Hamm's withdrawal leaves the U.S. men's gymnastics team without an athlete with Olympic experience. He's one of the best in the world on floor exercise and is one of the best the Americans have on pommel horse, a traditional weakness.

Sasha Artemev will replace Hamm. Artemev, the 2006 national champion, was the bronze medalist on pommel horse at the 2006 world championships, but struggled with consistency at nationals and the Olympic trials, where he botched three of four routines. He was chosen over David Durante.

The gymnastics competition starts Saturday.

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