I think the only two guys who have made the best claim to an Olympic spot is Jon Horton and Kevin Tan. There are about 12 other guys that have a good shot. Do you really think a Ham is going to be on the team?
I would like to see Paul Hamm, David Durante, Steven Legendre, Jonathan Horton, Kevin Tan, David Sender with an alternate of Morgan Hamm or Justin Spring
It was a great meet; I'm thrilled I got to go.
I absolutely think that Paul Hamm will be on the team still. He's a tough guy and a great competitor - he'll be ready in time.
I was also very proud and impressed with David Sender. I think the team is genuinely still wide open at this stage...can't wait for Olympic Trials.
Was anyone else there? I was surprised by the number of falls by clutch guys (Jon Horton, Yewki Tomita, Justin Spring, etc.) but am still very confident we're going to put together a heck of an Olympic team. I'm so excited.
I think the most exciting part is that the team could really be made up of almost anyone.
As for Paul, I was reading in Inside Gymnastics about the petitioning process. Bascially, Paul will probably try to petition directly onto the team and skip Trials. The USOC allows this type of petition, but must review all those athletes chosen for the Olympic Team for liability and fairness. In fact, Ron Brant, National Team Coordinator, had mentioned just a week before USAs that you would have to be "the Paul Hamm type" of athlete to even be considered for this petition. I believe they will put him on the team. The rules state that two athletes from Trials will be named immediately and then within 24 hours there must be a six man training team named. This does not have to be the final team. There will be a camp in mid-July where Paul will need to show readiness. The rules also state that in the event he is petitioned on, he can only be taken off if he pulls out himself or he shows that a demonstrable inability to compete is show. Thus, I think that after Trials, three of the six guys will be solidly on the team, including Paul.
Now, on to the rest of the field. I was suprised the number of falls, as Dan mentioned. I think choosing the team will be tough. Like Trent said, Horton is a big force. I mostly believe that because he has a recognizable international name right now. His finishing 4th, less than a .1 out of third, at the last Worlds, makes him valuable because the international judges are willing to give him good scores if he hits. Horton has also been doing well on Rings, which might make him a key player. He also has been standing up his vault, which is something he had problems with last year. But, I don't think he has hit his HB routine in at least the last four competitions he competed in- NCAA team Tinals, NCAA Prelims, USA Prelims, and USA Finals. HB is supposed to be his event and he might be replaceable on vault by Paul, Sender, and Spring.
Speaking of Spring, I believe he would be great for the 3 up 3 count if he can solidify his PB and HB so that they are at the level of 2007 USAs and if he can be a back-up on Floor and Vault. Those things in my mind would put him on the team.
The things to consider generally are qualifying into team finals, but once you are there you need 3 huge routines. If Paul if 100% he will be that routine on each event (except maybe rings). So then there are two spots to fill on each event with five other guys. Floor can be done by Horton, Sender, Alvarez, Morgan, Golden, etc. Pommels may be the key to making the team. After Paul, Sasha? Tim McNeill, maybe, but when thinking of him you need to remember his back is in bad shape. Rings must have Kevin Tan; add Paul to that and you only need one guy, is that Horton? Is that Golden? Is that Sender? Is it Raj? Vault is deep too, Paul, Morgan, Sender, Golden, Raj, Spring, Horton. PB can be filled by Durante, Spring, Horton, McNeill, or even Kevin. HB has Spring, Hagerty, Paul, Kevin, Horton. The team could go anyway and I didn't even name people like Sean or Yewki. The field is wide open. Man! I love this sport.
Dang the olympics just keep getting closer and closer it's pretty crazy. I can't believe that David Sender won this years nationals, what a great acheivement for him! Paul Hamm will obviously make it into the olylmpic trails or USAG is stupid. Considering he is the only one probably capable of medaling in the AA. But do you think Sender has a chance?
I was really hoping this year would be a great year for Horton. But so far all this year has been doing to him is lowering his confidence. He has fallen off that high bar soo many times, that I'm sure he doesn't want to compete it in the olympics, and cost USA to maybe not medal.
I think Spring would be a great person though to use certain events, such as parallel bars and vault. And he is pretty good at floor, just needs to tidy up the landings a little. But nonetheless he will hopefully be on the team.
