Hamm brothers to team up again in U.S. gymnastics team

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Olympic all-around gymnastics champion Paul Hamm was thrilled his twin brother, Morgan, was named in the U.S. men's team for Beijing on Sunday, marking their third Olympics in a row as team mates.

Paul Hamm, despite recovering from a broken hand, was named to the six-man team on Saturday at the end of the Olympic trials. Morgan Hamm, struggling with strained tendons in his left ankle, was one of four gymnasts placed on the team Sunday.

"We've had a great career, done everything together," the 25-year-old Olympic champion told reporters. "We made this comeback together and now we're on the Olympic team. It feels so good.

"We don't have to deal with that circumstance where one of us makes it and the other doesn't. That would have been devastating."

Paul Hamm petitioned U.S. selectors to be placed directly on team and he was, pending demonstration of his fitness next month.

"Morgan, in my mind, was sort of in that bubble position, although he was scoring well in events needed on the team," Paul Hamm said.

Jonathan Horton was also named to the U.S. team Saturday.

Morgan Hamm, Joe Hagerty, Justin Spring and Kevin Tan were chosen by selectors on Sunday, with Alexander Artemev, Raj Bhavsar and David Durante named as alternates.

The Hamm brothers embarked on comebacks last year with an eye toward following up their U.S. team silver medals from Athens at Beijing, and both have had to deal with injuries.

Morgan Hamm suffered a torn pectoral muscle late last year and is now competing with strained tendons in his left ankle.

Paul Hamm broke a bone in his right hand at the U.S. national championships earlier this year and cannot resume gymnastics for another week or 10 days.

"The family journey has been incredible," Paul Hamm said. "What Morgan and I have gone through, the comeback, the injuries and finally have this whole process pay off.

"We're going to work our butts off."

Paul Hamm said team gold might be out of reach considering the strength of the China team, but he was optimistic about the U.S. team's medal chances.

"The team is very strong," he said. "The one event that might be a little weaker is pommel horse.

"I think China is extremely difficult to beat. We can compete with the other countries - Japan, Russia, Romania.

"I guess for us a miracle would be beating China. A silver medal for us would be like winning the gold."

(Editing by Miles Evans)