ATHENS, 15 August 2004 — Paul Hamm underlined the United States’ Olympic gold medal prospects with a dynamic all-round performance in the men’s gymnastics team qualifying yesterday.
European all-round champion Marian Dragulescu had given Romania the early lead but from the beginning of the second rotation it became apparent that the Americans were determined to land their first team gold since 1984.
With favorites China competing later in the day, the Americans put in a focused display to stay ahead of Romania throughout the afternoon and finished with a combined score of 230.419. The Romanians trailed with 230.019, ahead of third-placed Russia’s 227.980.
Hamm, who became the first American to capture the men’s world all-round title last August, staked his claim for the individual crown with dazzling and difficult displays on all six apparatus.
“It’s very important to be one of the top teams in the preliminary competition and we showed everybody what we’re capable of,” said Hamm.
The 21-year-old Hamm maintained a straight body line while executing his complex routine on the parallel bars to achieve his day’s highest score of 9.762. His lowest mark was 9.512 on the rings.
Even a fall by Blaine Wilson from the horizontal bar failed to distract the US from the task at hand. He needed smelling salts to clear his head but remained unconcerned.
“I still have a hell of a headache right now but I’ll be fine,” he said.
Dragulescu, winner of four golds at the European championships in April, was also in impressive form.
Such was the difficulty level of his two vaults that a step forward on both landings failed to put off the judges and the 23-year-old was awarded an average of 9.762.
He followed up a 2-1/2 front handspring vault by showcasing his powerful tumbling skills on the floor during Romania’s final round. Hamm led the all-round qualification with 58.061, pushing Dragulescu into second on 57.436.
The biggest cheer from the flag-waving Greek crowd was reserved for local hero and rings world champion Dimosthenis Tampakos, who punched the air in delight when a score of 9.850 flashed up on the scoreboard.
“All this love the people show for us gives us strength during the performance ... and I think I can do even better,” Tampakos said.
Four-time Olympic champion Alexei Nemov was well below his best and chose to compete on only three apparatus for the Russians.
The charismatic gymnast brought the arena to life as he performed five release and catch movements on the horizontal bar to earn his highest mark of 9.737. The top eight teams proceed to tomorrow’s final.
