Paul Hamm shows off the hand

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PHILADELPHIA -- Paul Hamm, the defending Olympic gymnastics all-around gold medalist, brought surgeon Dr. Lawrence Lubbers photos of his X-rays and a sense of humor Thursday as he updated the condition of his broken right hand.

Hamm broke a bone in the hand while performing his final routine -- on parallel bars -- on the first night of the U.S. nationals last month. At the time of the injury, Hamm led the competition by four points despite a fall from the bars. He has petitioned for a spot on the six-man Olympic team and that petition is expected to be granted as soon as Sunday.

Hamm said he expects to start performing routines on all six apparatuses in the next two to three weeks. Lubbers said the most dangerous event in terms of reinjuring the hand would be still rings and vault, but Hamm said he has every intention of competing in all six events by the Olympics.

The U.S. selection committee must submit a six-man starting lineup and up to three alternates to the U.S. Olympic Committee on July 1. Hamm said he would be expected to perform and show readiness for the committee by July 22. The U.S. would have until noon Beijing time on Aug. 8, the day of the opening ceremonies, to make a change in the starting lineup by substituting one of its alternates.

-- Diane Pucin