Hamm proves fitness at intra-squad competition

Hamm proves fitness at intra-squad competition



US gymnast Paul Hamm proved his fitness for Beijing 2008 at an intra-squad competition in Colorado on July 19.

Despite breaking a bone in his right hand while competing at the US championships on May 22, Hamm had been included in the men's Olympic squad, which was announced in June. However, USA Gymnastics was still worried that Hamm's injury would affect his performance, especially on the parallel bars, which places the most stress on the hands of gymnasts.

Hamm proved the doubters wrong by performing well at the intra-squad competition in three events – high bar, pommel horse and still rings.

Hamm expects that he will be fully recovered when the Olympics begin, thus giving him the opportunity to defend the all-around gold medal that he won at Athens 2004. Hamm is also determined to defeat his Chinese rival Yang Wei, who is the reigning all-around world champion.