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Touching all the Bases

Springboard

Posted by: Jeff Huth

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 3:56 PM

Justin Spring has given Illini fans reason to pay attention to gymnastics at the Beijing Olympics. Now there’s reason to pay close attention to how Spring and the other five members of the U.S men’s team cope with the loss of their leader.

When defending all-around gold medalist Paul Hamm withdrew on July 28 due to injuries, the Americans’ bid for a team medal took a serious blow. Raj Bhavsar, selected as Hamm’s replacement, and other team members will try to pick up the slack, but that’s not so simple because of Hamm’s versatility. He would have competed in all six events in team qualifying and, most likely, in the team finals if the Americans got that far.

Spring, coming off his own injury issues, is regarded as one of the top U.S. hopes in parallel bars and high bar. But, at least at this level, Spring is not an all-arounder and not expected to compete in the pommel horse. And that’s an event in which the Americans are regarded as weak, even when Paul Hamm was available.

We know from his Illini days and beyond that Spring is the ultimate competitor and warrior. We suspect his U.S. teammates are, too.

This is setting up as one of those classic Olympics overcoming-adversity stories all fans love. If the Americans do somehow return with a silver or bronze team medal, how much sweeter will the feat be for Spring and Co. given the circumstances.