Raj Bhavsar was selected to replace Paul Hamm on the U.S. Olympic Men’s Gymnastics Team. Earlier today, Hamm graciously bowed out after realizing that he would not be able to compete at full strength. It was determined by the Men’s Selection Committee that Bhavsar would give the men’s team the best chance for a medal.

Bhavsar is a former All-American at Ohio State, where he led the Buckeyes to the 2001 NCAA national title and was the 2002 NCAA all-around champion. He was selected earlier this month to be an alternate on the 2008 squad. This would have been the second straight Olympics in which Bhavsar was relegated to alternate status.

This is a humbling experience for Raj, yet filled with thrilling possibilities. Bhavsar turned in a very inspiring effort at the Olympic Trials, which was met yet again with the disappointment of being left off the team. He missed a guaranteed spot on the team by less than a point. This disappointment was well chronicled in an article that we previously featured.

Although making the team by way of Hamm’s injury, Bhavsar deserves to be admired and applauded for his tenacity and enthusiasm. StickItMedia wishes Raj Bhavsar nothing but the best of luck in Beijing.

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