Return of Paul Hamm?

(BEIJING, July 4) -- Despite being struck by a serious hand injury on May 22, US gymnast Paul Hamm may resume his training from as early as Friday, starting with moderate gymnastic exercises.

If the result of another X-ray examination proves satisfactory, Dr Lawrence Lubbers, the hand specialist who operated on Hamm, will issue the clearance for him to resume training.

Hamm is now seven to ten days ahead of schedule in his recovery. He has been doing flips, push-ups and strength moves on the still rings and parallel bars, as can be seen in a video posted on the internet by him and Morgan, his twin brother.

“We've been a little more conservative so we don't have a setback,” Lubbers is quoted by the US Gymnastics website as saying, “I think Friday we're going to have to loosen up a lot and move him toward progression of routines.”