Paul Hamm

Paul Hamm (born September 24, 1982 in Washburn, Wisconsin) is a US gymnast. He became the first American man to win the all-round title at the world championships in Anaheim, California in 2003. He competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, alongside his twin brother Morgan, taking gold in the individual all-around competition, becoming the only American man in Olympic history to win the gold medal in that event.

Effects of controversy

• Immediately following the Olympics, General Mills announced which U.S. Olympians would appear on individual boxes of Wheaties cereal: swimmer Michael Phelps, female gymnast Carly Patterson, and sprinter Justin Gatlin. Hamm was in talks to appear on a box, but the talks were dropped after the controversy. Typically, these appearances are quite prestigious and often lead to other endorsement deals.