Paul Hamm Withdraws from 2008 U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Olympic Team – Ohio State Buckeyes
7/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | General, Men's Gymnastics
USA Gymnastics Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Paul Hamm of Waukesha, Wis., today officially notified USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic Committee that he was resigning from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for men’s gymnastics.
“I have put my heart and soul into my comeback and done everything I could to get ready in time to compete in Beijing,” said Hamm, who won the all-around title at the 2004 Olympic Games and is recovering from a broken hand. “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. I recently strained my rotator cuff and have been unable to perform all of my skills. I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to make a comeback. At this point in time, the success of the team and fairness to the team, and the alternates, is most important. While I am very disappointed, I feel I can wait no longer to make this decision.”
Hamm began his return to competitive gymnastics in August 2007 after a nearly three-year layoff after the 2004 Games to complete his education. In 2008, he won the all-around title at the Winter Cup Challenge, Tyson American Cup and Pacific Rim Championships presented by Gillette Venus. Hamm broke his fourth metacarpal on May 22 during the Visa Championships and successfully petitioned to the Olympic Team in June. He demonstrated his competitive readiness on July 19 to the men’s selection committee, and the men’s preparation camp concluded on July 22.
“We admire Paul for making this difficult decision,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “Paul’s comeback this year has been phenomenal, made even more impressive following the injury to his hand. 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.”
Miles Avery, Ohio State head coach
On Paul Hamm withdrawal from the 2008 U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Olympic Team
“I am certainly disappointed for the U.S. team to lose such a great athlete, but as a coach I can understand his decision after facing several setbacks in training last week. For him to look at the big picture and see how his readiness affected the whole team shows how much he wants the U.S. to do well.”
Quotes from July 28 USA Gymnastics Teleconference
Paul Hamm, 2004 Olympic gold medalist
On his decision to withdrawal from the 2008 U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Olympic team
“I have done everything I could to get ready to compete in Beijing but at this point I have decided to step aside. I was pushing my body to the max leading up to the training camp but unfortunately the week after the camp was a disaster. With only five days of training left, I can see now that it would be impossible for me to be ready. I am grateful for USA Gymnastics for giving me the opportunity to comeback after my hand injury. My attempt for a comeback was a long shot to begin with. This has been the hardest decision I have had to make. I have too much respect for my teammates and my country to not stop aside.”
“It’s a difficult moment for me but the truth of the matter is I’ve had a wonderful career and I’m more than happy with the way things have turned out for me in the sport.”
On his physical health
“The day after I competed at the train camp is when I noticed my strained left rotator cup and it only got worse after I got back to Columbus. I have a beat-up body right now. My hand was improving and things were starting to feel okay but to throw another injury on top of that I would not feel comfortable on the Olympic stage. It’s disappointing because everything was coming along so well after my comeback to competitive gymnastics. If I had another month, I think I would be ready.”
“I immediately jumped back into doing routines after the training camp and that first day was okay I was able to push through some of my strength skills. But on the second day, I noticed nothing was going together and I was taking a big step backwards. I made the decision Sunday. I tried to turn a corner at my workout but I felt like I was worse off. Going into an Olympic Games you are supposed to be in the best shape of your life and I am not there.”
On his plans for the Beijing Olympics
“It’s going to be tough but I’ll be cheering on the team and supporting Morgan trying to look at it from a spectator’s view.”
On his brother Morgan Hamm
“Morgan has been supportive and is understanding about my decision. I know Morgan can represent our country well and I don’t think it should be a concern that he is competing without me.”
