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South Korean silver medalist Kim Dae Eun, US gold medallist Paul Hamm and South Korean bronze medallist Yang Tae Young (L to R) pose on the podium after the men's gymnastics individual all-around final at the Athens Olympic Games in Greece, Aug. 18, 2004.(Xinhua Photo/Lan Hongguang)
 
Paul Hamm made the history as expected here on Wednesday when he clinched the Olympic men's gymnastics individual all-around title for the United States in 100 years.

In the Olympic history before today's final, only Anton Heida won the men's gymnastics individual all-around title for the United States in 1904.

Hamm, 22, the all-around winner at 2003 Anaheim worlds and the front runner in the qualification round of the Athens Olympics, collected 57.823 points, edging South Korean dark horse Kim Dae Eun, 20, who boasted 57.811 points for second place.

Another South Korean gymnast Yang Tae-young, who together with Kim had not entered any top three in previous worlds and Olympics, took the bronze with 57.774 points.

Chinese gymnast Yang Wei, the runner-up of men's individual all-around at Sydney Olympics and 2003 Anaheim worlds, finished only seventh with 57.361 points. He dropped from the high bar, which earned him only 8.987 points.

Yang Wei said, "I even don't know how that error occurred. I have to rethink about it later."

"But the spirit of our whole team still exists. That is the most important thing," he added.

The Chinese gymnastics team, which collected five gold medals in 2003 Anaheim worlds, is still empty-handed in Athens, even failing to get a bronze medal.

Editor: Lin Shujun