It’s official: Paul Hamm has a berth in the Beijing Olympics.
Hamm broke the fourth metacarpal on his right hand a month ago at the Visa Championships but successfully petitioned to have his name added to the Team USA gymnastics roster. The only hurdle to clear from there was demonstrating his readiness at the team’s Olympic preparation camp.
“Paul showed the men’s selection committee that he will contribute to the team’s efforts in Beijing,” Steve Penney, president of USA Gymnastics, said Satuday in a press release. “He has worked hard to maintain his level of conditioning and we are pleased with his progress.”
Added Dennis McIntyre, senior director of men’s programs for USA Gymnastics: “Paul has been able to participate fully at our nine-day preparation camp. In addition, the men’s selection committee observed Paul perform routines on events critical to team success during the intrasquad meet. Based on his training and routines, Paul has demonstrated his competitive readiness to our satisfaction. We believe Paul’s contributions to the team will help us sin our quest for a spot on the medals podium.”
Beijing will mark Hamm’s third Olympic Games. In 2004, he became the first American male to win the Olympic all-around gold medal, at Athens. He also won a silver medal on the high bar and helped the United States to a silver-medal finish in the team compeition.
Other members of the U.S. team that will compete in Beijing are Hamm’s brother, Morgan; Joseph Hagerty; Jonathan Horton; Justin Spring, and Kevin Tan. Alternates are Sasha Artemev, Raj Bhavsar and David Durante.
Odysseus had Sirens to tempt him.
For me, the Olympics always call. Beijing 2008 marks my 10th Olympics as a writer and, no, I can’t get enough. 
