Paul Hamm, the world and U.S. champion, will try to become the second American man to medal in the all-around at the Olympics, joining Peter Vidmar, who won silver in 1984.
Make no mistake, Paul Hamm was thrilled to qualify for the Olympics. But he wasn't overwhelmed.
Not this time.
That's because just getting there isn't enough any more.
"It felt more magical making it in 2000 because it was my first time," Hamm said.
On his second trip to the Games, Hamm has great expectations, and the ability to achieve them. In Sydney, Hamm was 14th in the all-around. Since that effort, his skills have improved dramatically.
Hamm goes to Athens as the most accomplished American man. At last year's World Championships, he became the first American to win the all-around title. He won the gold medal in the floor exercise and helped lead the United States to silver.
Hamm also is the reigning U.S. champion.
His top American challenger, Brett McClure, is a first-time Olympian. After securing his spot with a second-place finish at the U.S. Olympic Trials, he was a more enthusiastic than Hamm.
"I was pacing right and left before getting to do my last routine," McClure said. "I was jumping off the walls thinking if I could just get through this rings routine, it will all be over ... and I'm still in shock."
Behind Hamm and McClure, the Americans have team medal possibilities. China is favorite.
"I see a strong team," Hamm said. "I think no matter who they bring in, we definitely have medal potential."
THIS SHOULD HELP: They look alike, so much so that some can't tell twins Paul and Morgan Hamm apart. The brothers don't seem to mind and have come up with a guide to help people keep from getting them confused. At www.hamm-twins.com their official Web site, a page titled Telling Them Apart says, "This is a page for those people to figure out who's who of the twins when they just can't seem to get it!"
Among the differences:
- Morgan's a lefty; Paul's a righty.
- Morgan's nose is a little curvier and wider; Paul's nose is straight.
- Morgan always says "awesome."
- Paul has more freckles.
For those who think they've spotted any other differences, the site takes suggestions.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Guard Young isn't the first in his family to qualify for the Olympics. His father, Wayne, was on the 1976 team and was the 1975 NCAA all-around champion while at BYU.
"He's keeping count at home with how many Olympic Games and World teams he made, but I have a World Championships medal, so I'm one up on him there," Guard Young said.
Young's older sister, Jessica, attends BYU on a gymnastics scholarship. His four other sisters and brother all were gymnasts at one time. ODDS AND ENDS: Young is an assistant coach for the University of Oklahoma men's team, which won the 2003 NCAA Championship. ... Blaine Wilson competed for Ohio State, winning the Jesse Owens Award in 1997, presented by the Big Ten Conference to its outstanding male athlete. ... Wilson's middle name is Carew after baseball great Rod Carew. ... McClure grew up in Washington and was introduced to the sport in 1990, when the Goodwill Games were held in Seattle. ... The Hamm's older sister, Betsy, recently finished her collegiate gymnastics career at Iowa State. Their father, Sandy, was an all-American diver. ... Wilson earned his third consecutive Olympic berth, coming back from a torn left biceps tendon in February.
