|
 |   |
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
U.S. Gymnastics Trials Notebook Hamms out to make Olympic history
BOSTON (AP) -- Take freckle-faced twins from America's Dairyland, add explosive, high-flying gymnastics routines and the confidence that comes from being so good, so young. Mix it all together and what do you get? America's favorite Hamm and cheese combo. OK, OK, OK -- 17-year-old Paul and Morgan Hamm have great names, good looks and a chance to make history at the Olympic trials this week by becoming America's first twin Olympic gymnasts. But there's a lot of talent there, too -- maybe enough to put the kids from Waukesha, Wis., on the map for the next decade. "I think they represent a new generation of gymnastics," said their coach, Stacy Maloney. "Part of it is the great junior program we have in this country. Another part is that we look at it as trying to be the best in the world now, not just the best in the country." Six months ago, Paul was considered to have an outside chance and Morgan an even smaller chance at making the Olympic team. Great talent, but not enough seasoning, the experts said. Turns out, inexperience may have been their ally through the harrowing qualifying process. With 70 percent of the scores recorded and the final 30 to be earned Saturday night, Paul Hamm sits in second place. Morgan is in sixth. Aside from national champion Blaine Wilson, they were the steadiest performers Thursday night in the first round of trials. "Bascially, they have nothing to lose," Maloney said. "I set this up for them by saying, 'Let's go in and really enjoy ourselves. Let's make it kind of like a fun game.' You don't have as many things floating around in your mind at 17 as you do at 25." The top four finishers earn automatic spots onto the team. Two more will be chosen by the men's committee, based on how they can help the United States shore up weaknesses in certain events. The twins showed the kind of power, tumbling strength and versatility that will be needed to compete on the world level for years to come. Paul seems to have an automatic berth sewn up. Morgan has been solid in floor, vault and rings and will give the committee something to think about with those wild-card choices. "Making it together is one of our goals," Paul Hamm said. "It would be great to be there and have your brother at your side."
Bad-boy BlaineWith his pierced tongue, four tattoos and hair that goes from natural brown to blond every so often, Blaine Wilson seems like he should be headed for the X-Games, not the Sydney Olympics. The five-time national champion has become gymnastics version of the bad boy, the ultimate tough guy. The whole thing makes head coach Peter Kormann chuckle. "Blaine is the least understood of all of our gymnasts," Kormann said. "His image sometimes, 'I'm a tough competitor, I have a tattoo,' and all this stuff, I have to laugh because it isn't him. Or even close. He's the nicest guy and the best team player." And if anyone would know, it's Kormann. He's best friends with Wilson's father. He has known Wilson since he was a boy and has trained him for years, first at Ohio State and now with the national team. Want to know the real Blaine Wilson? At the 1996 national championships, Wilson was chasing his first all-around title. It meant a lot to him, and he wrapped up the competition on the still rings, his best event. But before Wilson went, Ohio State teammate Kip Simons was competing on the high bar. Simons was on the bubble for the Olympic team, and Wilson wanted to watch his routine. The judges signaled for Wilson to go, and he didn't move. Kormann told him he needed to get up on the rings, and he refused. "He said, 'I am not doing rings until Kip finishes doing high bar,'" Kormann said. "And we waited and we waited." As soon as Simons finished his routine, Wilson jumped up on the rings and nailed a perfect routine. "I know he never thought about that routine at all," Kormann said. "He was only worried about his teammate."
On pins and needlesWith spots on the Olympic team at stake, nerves are running high and it's showing on the floor. Only Blaine Wilson and Paul Hamm turned in six clean performances during the first round of competition Friday night. Everybody else was flipping, flopping and flailing through their routines. Even John Roethlisberger, the model of consistency in his 12-year career, ran into troubles. "That's a very, very high-pressure situation," Wilson said. "All the pressure is making the team." Besides, it's better to get the mistakes out of the way now, men's head coach Peter Kormann said. "Guys make mistakes and it's better to make them here at trials," he said.
Bela's webWomen's national team coordinator Bela Karolyi will launch a web site after trials that will lend tips on training, nutrition and the rest of the world of gymnastics. "It's a chance to share this wonderful sport with everyone," Karolyi said. The site will have three-dimensional images to teach gymnastics moves. It will also have a three-dimensional kitchen, which should be interesting given Karolyi's obsession with "physical readiness." Karolyi also promises to participate in live chat sessions. The web site, www.girlsgymnastics.com, is expected to be running Aug. 20, with a more advanced version coming Sept. 15.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
