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Updated at 7:53 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Olympics: USA Gymnastics confirms Morgan Hamm's spot

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Morgan Hamm's spot on the U.S. Olympic team is secure.

USA Gymnastics said today that a warning Hamm received earlier this month for getting a prescribed anti-inflammatory shot without proper clearance from anti-doping authorities did not affect his qualification to the team.

Hamm's results from the second day of the national championships were wiped out as part of his punishment. Results from that day, as well as the first day of nationals and two days of Olympic trials, were used to help determine the U.S. team for Beijing.

The men's selection committee re-ran the numbers, taking Hamm's punishment into affect, and the result was the same, said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics.

"They absolutely went back and reviewed this," Penny said. "There were two questions: One, would he have advanced on to the trials? And the answer was yes. And two, would he still have been selected to the Olympic team? And the answer again was yes."

Hamm, along with twin brother Paul, were chosen for their third Olympic team after last month's trials.

The U.S. Olympic Committee agreed with USA Gymnastics after its own review.

"We fully support the findings," said Steve Roush, the USOC's chief of sports performance. "We appreciate USA Gymnastics' efforts to respect and consider the interests of all of the athletes potentially impacted by this decision."

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced July 3 it had given Hamm a warning for his May 24 positive test for glucocorticosteroid, a cortisone-like anti-inflammatory. The drug is allowed if an athlete gets a therapeutic use exemption, which Hamm failed to do.

Hamm said he got the shot May 2 from his doctor after taping, ultrasound and other therapies failed to reduce the pain and swelling in his left ankle. After being notified of the positive test, he sent USADA his medical records and letters from his doctor and physical therapist.

"We have absolutely no concern it was intended to enhance performance," Bill Bock, USADA's general counsel, said then.