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Hamm up for next challenge

July 23, 2008
By Charles F. Gardner Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MILWAUKEE ? Paul Hamm faces more challenges over the next two weeks as he works to be "routine-ready" for the Beijing Olympics.

After breaking his right hand just eight weeks ago, it seemed unlikely he could return to peak form in time for the start of the Olympic gymnastics competition on Aug. 9. But that is precisely the kind of challenge the 25-year-old gymnast loves to tackle.

Hamm showed his readiness Saturday before an overflow crowd of 1,200 fans packed into a gym in Colorado Springs, Colo. Then he spent two more days working with his U.S. teammates in their pre-Olympic camp before returning to his training base in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday.

"For somebody who just broke his hand awhile back, the whole coaching staff was impressed," men's national team coordinators Ron Brant said during a conference call Tuesday. "He's probably at 80 percent. Every day he makes another step forward in what he's doing.
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