Paul Hamm deep into training again

A week after Paul Hamm was cleared to do gymnastics again, his coach told the Associated Press that he was happy with the Olympic gold medalist’s progress. (If you want to see how Hamm is doing post-broken hand, check out the video on his website.)

Miles Avery said Hamm was training in five events, including doing a full routine on pommel horse, but wasn't yet vaulting. That will likely will start next week — just in time for the July 19 training camp in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he must show he is physically able to compete at the Beijing Olympics.

"It relieves some of that stress of, 'Are we going to get this done?' ... He does have a little pain in it, but he continues icing and doing the things you need to do to keep it under control," Avery told AP.

"So far, so good."

Hamm broke the fourth metacarpal in his right hand May 22 in the final seconds of his parallel bars routine at the national championships. Five days later, hand specialist Dr. Lawrence Lubbers repaired the break with a titanium plate and nine small screws.

The men’s competition in Beijing begins Aug. 9.

-- Debbie Goffa