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| Paul Hamm |
Paul Hamm’s dreams of back-to-back Olympic golds have been dashed. The reigning Olympic champion announced that he will not make the trip to Beijing because his hand, which he broke on May 22 at the National Championships, has not properly healed. Adding insult to injury—or just injury to injury—Hamm tore his rotator cuff when compensating in training for his hand injury.
“At this point in time, the success of the team and fairness to the team, and the alternates, is most important,” Hamm said in statement released by USA Gymnastics. “While I am very disappointed, I feel I can wait no longer to make this decision.”
Five days after the breaking his right hand, Hamm went under the knife and headed back to train, hoping for a speedy recovery. Pushing his return only led to more injury, however, and now the American hopes for a return to the medal podium could be dashed.
The 2004 Olympic silver the American team brought home in Athens was the best finish for the American men’s team in 20 years.
It is likely that during Olympic competition, Hamm would have had to compete in all six events for the team qualifying and final rounds.
Through the early part of July it seemed as though Hamm might be on track to make it back.
When he started training back home in Ohio, however, his pain became too much, and this past weekend he made the decision he thought best for the team traveling to Beijing…giving up his spot.
Now, Raj Bhavsar, a 27-year-old out of Texas, will take Hamm’s place. Bhavsar was also an alternate back in 2004.
After not making that squad, Bhavsar nearly retired, but decided to take one more shot at making the squad. With Hamm out, Bhavsar will now have his chance to soar in China.
The men’s gymnastics competition will begin on August 9 in Bejing.
