ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Paul Hamm produced an amazing comeback Wednesday night to become the first American male to win the Olympic gymnastics all-around gold medal.
Hamm's hopes for a medal appeared to have ended when he suffered through a poor performance on the vault -- one of six apparatus used by gymnasts.
He was in 12th place after the vault with just two rotations remaining. But he came back with sensational performances on the parallel bars and horizontal bar to edge South Korean Kim Dae Eun.
Hamm had 57.823 points to 57.811 for Eun -- the closest finish in the event's history. South Korean Yang Tae Young won bronze with 57.774.
The only United States medal won in the men's all-around had been a silver by Peter Vidmar in the boycotted Games of 1984.
Hamm had a score of 9.137 on the vault -- at least a half point lower than he would have hoped.
Hall needed a 9.825 to win the gold. No gymnast had come close to that total all night with Eun turning in a 9.725. But Hall was awarded a score of 9.837 for the victory.
