U.S. Gymnast Morgan Hamm Heads To Nationals After Missing Wednesday's Qualifier

Indianapolis, IN (AHN) - Morgan Hamm gets a chance to participate in the National's next month following the approval of his petition by the U.S. gymnastics championships Friday, for a chance to land a slot in his third Olympic squad.

Hamm, who planned to compete in four events in the qualifying tournament Wednesday, dropped out after undergoing two events following an allergic reaction which hampered his breathing. The gymnast had no recourse but to file a petition to earn a spot in the Nationals in May. Wednesday's qualifying meet which was held in Colorado Springs, Colo. was Hamm's first competition after sustaining a tear in a pectoral muscle in October.

Hamm will have to excel on floor, pommel horse, vault and the high bar in order to land a slot in the U.S. six-man squad headed for the Beijing Games in August. Also vying for a slot and a sure shoe in to make the team is Hamm's brother, Paul, who is the defending Olympic champion. Jonathan Horton, fourth-place finisher in the all-around at worlds last year and national champions Sasha Artemev and David Durante round up the top five in the list of contenders.