Hamm recovers from ugly fall to win gold

ATHENS, Greece — Paul Hamm ought to get two golds for this performance.

With his medal hopes seemingly gone after he hit the judges' table on his vault landing, Hamm performed two of the most spectacular routines of his career to win the men's all-around gymnastics title by the closest Olympic margin ever.

Hamm needed a 9.825 on the high bar, his best event, to tie Kim Dae-eun of South Korea for gold — and he was dazzling. The highlight of his routine are three straight release moves, and he did them to perfection Wednesday night to become the first U.S. man to win the event.

Hamm, the reigning world champion, threw himself up and over the bar, catching it on the way down once, twice and then a third time, soaring higher with each toss. As he caught the bar the third time, the crowd roared.

Hamm's dismount was perfect, and he hit the mat with a solid thud.

Knowing the gold was his, he thrust his fists into the air and threw his head back. He waved at the crowd and then sprinted off the podium clapping his hands while his coach, Miles Avery, jumped up and down on the sideline.

Yang Tae-young of South Korea won the bronze. Brett McClure of the United States finished ninth.

Hamm's margin of victory was .012. The previous closest margin in the event was .017 by Leon Stukelj of Yugoslavia over Robert Prazak of Czechoslovakia in the 1924 Games. The women also had .012, in 1992, when Ukraine's Tatyana Gutsu edged American Shannon Miller.

After Hamm's victory, Avery grabbed him in a bearhug. His competitors did the same, then Hamm dropped into a chair, seemingly overwhelmed at what he had done.

The celebrations were only beginning. When Hamm's score of 9.837 flashed on the scoreboard, the arena went into a frenzy.

"We all knew that Paul was the best coming in," said Bob Colarossi, president of USA Gymnastics. "To fall and then have to do a perfect routine to win it and stick the landing, is incredible."

As the world champion, Hamm came in as the clear favorite. And the gold medal appeared to be within his grasp when he took a .038 point lead over China's Yang Wei, his biggest rival, halfway through the meet.

Vault is usually one of Hamm's stronger events. He looked good when he hit the springboard and leaped forward, turning his body sideways before his hands hit the horse.