Gymnast Sender files injury petition

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PHILADELPHIA -- Thom Glielmi, coach of U.S. national all-around gymnastics champion David Sender, said Thursday that an injury petition has already been filed asking that the 22-year-old Stanford senior be considered for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

Sender sprained his right ankle during practice Wednesday and withdrew from Thursday night’s first round of the U.S. Olympic trials at the Wachovia Center. Glielmi said Sender, who is on crutches and underwent acupuncture and massage treatments Thursday, would try to compete in the finals Saturday.

The Olympic selection committee is using a mathematical formula where results from the nationals last month count for 40% and results from the Olympic trials count for 60%. The committee will use a points system to try and pick a team that includes two all-arounders plus event specialists that can help on each apparatus during the team competition in Beijing.

Glielmi said he and Sender understand that because defending Olympic gold medalist Paul Hamm is also petitioning for a team spot after Hamm broke his hand at the nationals, that the committee may be reluctant to choose two injured athletes. ‘That’s in the back of our minds,’ Glielmi said. ‘If there’s any way David can go Saturday he will.’

Glielmi said Sender’s untimely sprain ‘definitely’ hurts Sender’s Olympic chances.

-- Diane Pucin