Wilson Finds a Spot on Gymnastics Team

Completing a remarkable recovery only he believed possible, Blaine Wilson was added to the U.S. men’s gymnastics team for the Athens Games, his third Olympic selection. Guard Young won the sixth and final berth after a tense process that ended with competitions Tuesday and Thursday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Stephen McCain and Raj Bhavsar were chosen as alternates.

Paul Hamm of Waukesha, Wis., and Brett McClure of Colorado Springs had won automatic berths by finishing 1-2 in combined tabulations from the U.S. championships and the Olympic trials at Anaheim. The five-member men’s selection committee added Jason Gatson of Upland and Hamm’s twin, Morgan, on the final day of the trials.

“Our goal when we walked out of Sydney four years ago was to select a team that can medal,” said Bob Colarossi, president of USA Gymnastics. “We know this team can medal.”

The U.S. men’s team won a silver medal at last year’s World Championships.

Wilson, who tore his left biceps muscle performing a still rings routine on Feb. 28, endured suspense until the end. He rolled his ankle Thursday and skipped the last few events but said the mishap “is the least of my worries.”

Both he and Young were drained after learning the news.

“You’ve got to remember, we just found out. We might be doing jumping jacks and backflips inside but five other guys are going home,” said Young, whose father, Wayne, was a member of the 1976 U.S. gymnastics team.

Said Wilson, who will be 30 next month: “I’m happy and sad at the same time.”

Each thought he was competing against the other for one spot and professed surprise that both were chosen. The committee ignored Sean Townsend, who ranked third in the weighted scoring from the U.S. championships and the trials, as well as Todd Thornton, who was fifth. Young was sixth and Wilson, who competed only at the trials, had been seventh.

Both surmised the choices were made because of the unforgiving Olympic team-finals format. Teams can bring six athletes but only three can compete on each apparatus and all three scores will count to determine the team standings.

The U.S. women’s team will be announced Sunday.