Morgan Hamm set for Beijing as FIG nixes doping appeal

Morgan Hamm set for Beijing as FIG nixes doping appeal

Morgan Hamm, a US gymnast who received a public warning July 3 after testing positive for a banned substance, will compete at the Beijing Olympics, USA Gymnastics announced Tuesday.

The US sport governing body was informed Tuesday by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) that it will not appeal the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) decision to forego a ban in Hamm's case.

Hamm is the brother of Paul Hamm, the 2004 Olympic all-around champion who dropped off this year's Olympic squad on Monday, saying he was not in condition to compete because of a broken hand suffered in May at the US championships.

Morgan Hamm was given only a warning by USADA after testing positive for a physician-prescribed anti-inflammatory medication without first seeking a therapeutic use exemption as required by global anti-doping rules.

"Although this is the result we anticipated, we are glad to have the final ruling so we can focus on final preparations for Beijing," USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny said.

"We appreciate the FIG's handling this case in a timely manner so the matter was resolved prior to the start of the competition in Beijing."

FIG's disciplinary commission reviewed Hamm's case Sunday and Monday and on that group's recommendation, FIG decided not to appeal for a tougher punishment that might have kept Hamm from taking part at Beijing.

USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic Committee confirmed Hamm's status on the US Olympic squad on July 16 after deciding that the public warning did not have an impact on Hamm qualifying for Beijing.