Hamms representing

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BEIJING -- When Paul and Morgan Hamm were selected for the U.S. Olympic men’s gymnastics team, their personal coach, Miles Avery, was chosen as the assistant coach and given access to the floor. Only two coaches per team are allowed to be on the floor, so most personal coaches watch from the stands.

When both Hamms withdrew because of injuries, the rest of the team was asked if they still wanted Avery as a floor coach. The other seven gymnasts -- Jonathan Horton, Justin Spring, Raj Bhavsar, Kevin Tan, Alexander Artemev, Joey Hagerty and alternate David Durante -- said they wanted Avery to remain.

‘The guys said they felt it gave them a little bit of Paul and Morgan on the floor,’ Avery said. ‘I’m honored.’

Paul Hamm won the Olympic all-around gold medal four years ago and the twins led the U.S. to a team silver medal. Spring said that there were only good feelings when the twins were selected to this U.S. team even when they were both injured. ‘They’ve pushed all of us to get better just by watching them do all the little things to get better every day,’ Spring said. ‘They were on the floor with us because they’ve pushed the sport ahead in this country.’

Without his star pupils, Avery was given a special responsibility -- to help Alexander Artemev keep his nerves under control. Artemev probably has the most talent on this U.S. team but he has notoriously made big mistakes in big moments over the last few years. With Avery watching, Artemev has given two steady performances for the U.S. team.

‘The key was taking it out of the realm where he feels like he’s out there all by himself,’ Avery said. ‘The point was, this team is going to love him no matter what. I’m going to love him no matter what.’

-- Diane Pucin