http://www.usa-gymnasticsolympics.com/2004/news/releases/aug18wrap.html
Posted on 08/18/2004 9:54:46 PM PDT by doug from upland
BUT - those of us who have been around this sport know exactly what Paul was quoted as saying in the interview shown on NBC immediately after he won - and that is to "never give up" because it IS the sport of championships typically being one by TENTHS of points. In this case it was (amazingly!!!!) HUNDREDTHS of points - something that hasn't happened at the Olympics since, like, 1912 or something. My son's coach who was on the Ukrainian Olympic squad in Atlanta and the World Championship team in 1994 keeps telling the guys to fight for EVERY tenth. Now we all know why ;-).
Excerpt:
Being a world champion at the age of 21 can help a gymnast in more ways than one. Take it from reigning world and U.S. national champion Paul Hamm, who has recently been named one of fifty most eligible bachelors by People magazine. To add to that, his celebrity status matched him up with his girlfriend, Lauren, whom he has been dating for five months.
Maybe Lauren foresaw People’s reason for adding Paul to the most wanted list. While Paul and his twin brother Morgan were walking down the street one day, Lauren introduced herself.
“I was walking down the street and she came up and said hi because she recognized Morgan and I,” Paul said. “We started talking and now we have been dating for five months.”
It happened a few years ago against the Sacramento Kings in game six of the Western Finals. He made his first 10 free throws --- CLICK.
And watch for those numbers to spike. That's what happened after the USA mens team took team gold in 1984, and same for Mary Lou Retton's gold medalist efforts in the same year.
Big ol' AMEN...at any time. Why speculate at all? When the McGreeveys of the world traipse out of the closet and put their bedrooms in th middle of the public square, then we are free to comment all we like. Until then, folks...MYOB. Sheesh!
A brilliant, absolutely brilliant victory.
It was amazing. I was so disgusted when he fell at the end of the vault. But I kept watching and cheering when everyone else made mistakes (I know, that was mean). There's no other way to describe it other than "amazing".
I wouldn't have watched it had I not heard a quick radio news report and then went to the ESPN site to read it. It was truly one of the most amazing moments in Olympic history.
He's not gay...
Paul Hamm Diary: June 25, 2004
Social Life, Activities and Interests
Do you spend time outside the gym with your teammates? I spend a lot of time outside of the gym with Morgan and Raj because I live with Morgan and Raj lives above us.
Approximately how many hours a day do you have to spend with family and friends? Besides Morgan I typically don't see my family except for special occasions.
What are your favorite things to do outside of the gym? I like to play tennis, golf, swim, watch movies, and hang out with my friends and girlfriend.
Do you have any hobbies? I don't really have any hobbies.
Do you have anything that you've collected over the years? I have collected signed posters from the 2001, 2002, and 2003 world championship that I have been to and also the 2000 Olympics.
What keeps you busy when you are not training? Most of the time what keeps me busy outside of the gym is school.
Do you play any video games? Do you have a favorite game? I will occasionally play video games. I like James Bond and Downhill Domination.
http://www.chevroncars.com/wocc/lrn/tri/index.jhtml?date=06/25/2004
I did not mean he was gay. It was a joke. Mens gymnastics...
Have you ever tried doing an iron cross?
I still don't get it. Why is mens gymnastics joked about being gay and no other sport?
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