• U.S gymnast Paul Hamm won the gold medal in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Hamm was set to compete in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, but on July 28, 2008, he announced he was withdrawing from competition. Hamm, who broke his right hand at the U.S. championships in May 2008, said he'd suffered "physical setbacks" and would be unable to defend his 2004 men's all-around title.The New York Times: Gymnast Hamm Withdraws From U.S. Olympic Team (July 29, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. Name: Paul Elbert Hamm
  2. Born: September 24, 1982
  3. Hometown: Waukesha, Wisconsin
  4. Height: 5'6"
  5. Weight: 140 lbs
  6. Twin brother, Morgan Hamm, also an Olympic gymnastUSA Gymnastics: Morgan Hamm Profile
  7. Competed in the 2000 and 2004 OlympicsUSA Gymnastics: Paul Hamm Profile
  8. Won the gold medal in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, GreeceUSA Gymnastics: Paul Hamm Profile
  9. Became the first American man to win the Olympic all-around in 2004SI.com: Hamm Makes History (August 18, 2004)
  10. Took several years off from competing to finish collegeThe New York Times: Paul Hamm, After Hiatus, Works for Chance to Defend... (March 1, 2007)
  11. Graduated from Ohio State University in 20072008 Beijing Summer Olympics: Paul Hamm Profile
  12. Named to the 2008 U.S. Men's Gymnastics team in July 2008The Associated Press: Give Hamm a hand, he's going to Beijing (July 20, 2008)
  13. July 28, 2008: Hamm announced he would not compete in the 2008 games because of a broken handThe New York Times: Gymnast Hamm Withdraws From U.S. Olympic Team (July 29, 2008)

• Paul Hamm Quote

  "I have put my heart and soul into my comeback and done everything I could to get ready in time to compete in Beijing. 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."SI.com: Olympic champ Paul Hamm out of time recovering from broken hand (July 28, 2008)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Summer Olympics 2008 | US Olympic Gymnastics 2008 | Gymnastics | American Cup | Morgan Hamm

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