Buckeyes in Beijing: Coach Miles Avery and Olympians Paul and Morgan Hamm Meet with Media – Ohio State Buckeyes
6/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | General, Men's Gymnastics
2008 U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Olympic Team members and coach Miles Avery talk about the road to Beijing
COLUMBUS, Ohio Paul and Morgan Hamm, both of whom were named to the 2008 U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Olympic Team last weekend in Philadelphia, as well as personal coach Miles Avery, met with local media members upon their return to Columbus Monday afternoon.
The Hamm brothers graduated from Ohio State in 2007. They both train under Avery, Ohio State’s men’s gymnastics head coach.
The trio now turns its attention to readying for the U.S. Olympic Team training camp in late July in Colorado, Springs, Colo., before the squad heads to Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games in August.
Miles Avery, personal coach for Paul and Morgan Hamm
On the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team
“We have some guys on this U.S. Olympic Team that this will be their first time going but we also have guys like Paul and Morgan who are outstanding considering the competitiveness they bring to this team.”
On Morgan Hamm
“I didn’t have any worries about Morgan this weekend. Even though his health was not at 100 percent he still finished fourth (pommel horse), fourth (rings), fourth (vault) and second (high bar). And that is what everyone saw. If guys can’t beat him now, we want him on the Olympic team because he’ll certainly be healthy by the training camp in July.”
On former Buckeye Raj Bhavsar
“My heart goes out to that young man who gave so much to make this team. Again this year, he showed he could be on this team just as much as anyone else. My heart breaks for him.”
“The U.S. will take two alternates over to Beijing. At the training camp in July it will be decided whether it’s Raj (Bhavsar), David Durante or Alexander Artemev who will travel over there with us.”
Paul Hamm, 2004 Olympic all-around champion
On the U.S. Olympic Team Trials
“It went really well considering that Morgan qualified onto the team. I was a little bit worried after his performance. He stung his ankle the first day of competition and it was a struggle that second day. It was a big relief to hear his name called onto the team. My case was a little bit different because I was put onto the team based on my previous performances. I have to prove to a committee at the end of July that I’m ready to compete so I have to get my hand healthy now.”
On his hand
“My hand is feeling good and I’m ahead of schedule. I’m in the gym strengthening my body and doing a ton of conditioning, trying to make that transition back into routines easy and seamless.”
Morgan Hamm, three-time Olympian
On the U.S. Olympic Team Trials
“Making the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team is the perfect ending to my career. It has been a long road. I tore a muscle in my chest in October, had surgery and turned my ankle a bit at the meet last weekend but I got through everything and showed I could be a big help for this team.”
On the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
“It is more meaningful because this is my last Olympic Games. It is a really great feeling. When I get there I’m just going to take in the whole experience realizing that it is the last meet of my career because I’m starting chiropractor school after this.”
