SAN JOSE, Calif. - Paul Hamm won another gold medal. David Durante became a national champion.

Now, the real games begin - trying to find six gymnasts on the rebuilding U.S. men's team who can win their way into the Beijing Olympics next year.

Hamm completed his successful first step back into competitive gymnastics Friday night with two flawless routines at the Visa National Championships. The floor exercise routine earned him a gold medal to add to his considerable stash, including a gold from the all-around at the Athens Olympics.

The U.S. team heads to Germany next month for the worlds, needing to improve at least one notch from its 13th-place finish last year to win a spot in the Beijing Olympics. Only the top 12 teams advance to the Olympics.

The men's selection committee should have an interesting day of debate. The team is expected to be announced today.

"It's definitely difficult, because we have a lot of athletes who have put themselves in the mix to make this team," national coordinator Ron Brant said.

Anyone who could make it through the finals without falling would have a good opportunity. On Friday, again, that was Durante, who went into the 2006 nationals as a favorite but was such a mess there, he didn't qualify for worlds.

He put it all together Friday night, one of the few men who landed his vault cleanly, slamming his feet into the mat and not moving a muscle. He sat down in the corner while waiting for his floor routine to start, and after executing a solid- but-not-spectacular routine, he let out a loud yell.

"It's kind of hard to put into words right now," said Durante, who ran into the crowd to hug his parents after the meet. "I've got the chills going on. I really don't think I can explain it. You can see the smile on my face. It's not going to be leaving for a while."

He beat Green Mountain High School graduate Guillermo Alvarez by 0.2 points, and the 2006 champion, Morrison resident Alexander Artemev, fell three times - on floor and twice on vault - to finish fourth. Still, the fan favorite blew kisses to the crowd after a strong effort on his best event, the pommel horse.

Whatever the decision this weekend on Hamm and his brother Morgan, they had to be a welcome sight for this team.

Assuming the brothers qualify for the Olympics, their return would prevent the Americans from heading to Beijing with a team completely devoid of experience in the sport's biggest pressure cooker.

Associated Press