Attorney: Paul Hamm is training rigorously for a comeback amid Assault Charges
At the end of his shortlived 2008 comeback, Paul Hamm, was rumoured to be retiring from the sport. However, a recent controversy has him deflecting attention to another attempt at a comeback in the 2012 Olympics.
The 29-year-old artistic gymnast suffered from a severe injury on his right hand during a routine on the parallel bars that forced him to withdraw from the 2008 Olympic team.
A provisional place in the team had spurred accelerated recovery efforts that spelled greater trouble for Hamm.
In eventuality he was replaced on account of not only a painful right-hand injury that got him nine screws and a titanium plate, but an injured left shoulder too.
Recently, he has been involved in an assault case and has been ‘gracing’ the headlines.
Reportedly, Hamm refused to pay the twenty-three dollars worth fare to a cab driver in Columbus. His refusal was the start of the three misdemeanour counts he now faces.
The only thing Hamm seemed interested in giving away was aggression. He acted out to damage a window of the cab and even attacked the driver.
According to most sources he kicked the cab driver. However, other recounts report punching, either way, physical assault was involved.
The arrest was anything but submissive. Once handcuffed, he asked the police to let him go.
An Upper Alington police video from the arrest aired by 10tv News shows Hamm lashing out at the authorities, “I don't understand, I’m going to kill you guys”.
It was not notified whether he was in fact under the influence of alcohol or if telling the police that he had about eight drinks was meaningless.
The hearing on Thursday, Nov 10, resulted in a postponement from the judge to give Hamm and his attorney more time. They have pleaded not guilty for all three misdemeanour counts. The defendant and his lawyer have both remained tightlipped about the assault
case and have refrained from comments on misdemeanour.
Bill Meeks, Hamm’s lawyer, tried to redirect attention to the gymnast’s unfaltering focus on his training for the 2012 comeback. Meeks said Hamm is “training every day, getting ready to represent his country".
Currently free on bond, Hamm is working as an assistant coach at Ohio State. A move he made last summer around the time of the announcement of a comeback.
As the only American male gymnast to have earned All-round titles in the Olympics (2004) and the Worlds (2003), Hamm is definitely an asset as far as talents go.
“We have read about the unfortunate situation involving Paul Hamm in media reports, and we are certainly concerned for Paul,” USA Gymnastics President, Steve Penny, said.
Moreover, his last win turned into a controversy too. Although he was able to retain the title, the win was not as seamless as one would want it to be. It will be good to see him reappear in the news in a positive glow.
For the sake of America and Hamm’s fans, we hope the training is rigorous enough to keep him out of trouble and in a winning shape.
A success story and an undisputed gold win may be exactly what Hamm needs to make the perfect comeback. We wish him all the best.
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