Paul Hamm

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)

"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)