Hamm cleared for gymnastics

Olympic gold medalist Paul Hamm's broken hand is healed enough that he can return to regular gymnastics, giving him five weeks to get ready for the Beijing Games.

An X-ray on Thursday showed the broken bone in Hamm's right hand can withstand the force of gymnastics, said Dr. Lawrence Lubbers, the hand specialist who operated on Hamm on May 27.

"You could just kind of see him light up when he was looking at the X-ray," Lubbers said. "His hand therapist said he looked like a thoroughbred bursting out of the gate to get back to the gym."

Hamm already did some work on the high bar Wednesday, and Lubbers said he, Hamm and coach Miles Avery will meet Friday to determine which skills in each routine he can do immediately.

The only American man to win the world or Olympic titles, Hamm broke his hand May 22 in the closing seconds of his parallel bars routine. Lubbers repaired the break with a titanium plate and nine small screws, and Hamm has been diligent about conditioning and staying in shape until he could do gymnastics again.

He earned a spot on the Olympic team but still must prove he is physically able to compete in Beijing at a July 19 training camp in Colorado Springs, Colo.