Update: Per latest reports from Chron, Raj Bhavsar has been selected to replace Paul Hamm on the US Olympics gymnastics team. [Chron]
“This is a tremendous honor and the first feeling that comes to mind is that dreams can come true,” said Bhavsar, 27. “You never know when it will happen, but with enough positive intention and belief, it can. I am ready, willing and able to take on this great opportunity.
“Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of a great athlete, Paul Hamm. My heart goes out to him. He did an admirable thing, and he will always be a hero in my eyes. I also want to recognize the other two alternates, who are an important part of the soul and spirit of this team.”
Original Post: With the withdrawal of Paul Hamm from the Beijing games, among the names in line to replace him is that of Raj Bhavsar. [NYT]
Bhavsar in line for Olympic spot
img: via Yahoo!
“Right now there are only five days of training before the podium training in Beijing,” Hamm said. “I can see now that it will be impossible for me to be ready.”
One of the three alternates – Alexander Artemev, Raj Bhavsar and David Durante – will now become an Olympic team member, pending decision by the men’s gymnastics selection committee.
Raj was spectacular in the trials prompting questions on his non-selection …. [Chron]
“Raj was the star of the show,” Foster said. “I was so proud of that guy. He was just amazing in every single aspect of what he did.
“I know he’ll be the best alternate you could have. If something happens, he can step up and help the team. His maturity (and) everything he has done this year impresses me.”
….. which makes this starting sentence of the Chron article almost prophetic.
Barring an injury to another athlete, Raj Bhavsar of Houston won’t be on the U.S. men’s Olympic gymnastics team in Beijing. But he can take solace in his role as the star of the Olympic trials, and that’s from no less an authority than Bill Foster, his former coach and a member of the USA Gymnastics men’s selection team.
You never root for someone to get hurt, whatever the circumstances be. But now that it has happened, you cannot help but root for Raj Bhavsar.
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