Hamm in US team despite positive test

Colorado Springs: The United States Olympic Committee has decided against excluding gymnast Morgan Hamm from the Beijing Games despite a failed drug test at the USA gymnastics championships in May.

Hamm had previously been issued a warning by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and his results from the day of his positive test on May 24 were wiped out after it was divulged that he took a prohibited substance.

But that wasn’t enough for the USOC to prevent him from going to his third Olympics, said USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny.

"After a review by both USA Gymnastics and the USOC, there is an agreement that the public warning Hamm received did not impact his qualification for the 2008 US Olympic Team," Penny said.

The 25-year-old Hamm, who is the twin brother of reigning Olympic all-around gymnastics champ Paul Hamm, tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide.

— AFP