Hamm and Horton selected to Olympic gymnastics squad

Hamm and Horton selected to Olympic gymnastics squad

PHILADELPHIA — After naming Paul Hamm and Jonathan Horton to berths on the U.S. Olympic men's gymnastics team Saturday, a five-man selection committee prepared to settle into a hotel meeting room for a long night to study scores and determine the rest of the makeup of the team.

The U.S. men won the silver medal at the 2004 Athens Games, but fell to 13th in 2006, and are starting to climb back. They finished fourth in 2007. The desire to get back on the podium in Beijing is strong.

"We'll be looking at who handles the pressure really well and who jumps in to fight through things," said men's program director and committee member Dennis McIntyre, adding they'll meet again Sunday morning before announcing the six-man team and two alternates later in the afternoon.

Hamm was named to the team without even competing at trials. He injured his hand at nationals three weeks ago and was forced to withdraw from that event. He petitioned the committee to be named to the team. The defending Olympic all-around champion was considered a lock to make his third Olympics. He watched in the stands at both days of trials.

"I know I'm on the team, but I still have to prove myself at the end of July," said Hamm who needs to prove his readiness by July 22. "I have to get back in shape. I don't feel probably the same Jonathan feels right now. He was out there all four days of competition for the trials process and he knows he is healthy and is going to be on that Olympic team. For me, something could still happen.