U.S. fills women’s gym teams

NEW WAVERLY, Texas – Mohini Bhardwaj and Annia Hatch proved there’s plenty of room for the 20-something crowd in Olympic women’s gymnastics, capping unlikely comebacks Sunday by winning spots on the American squad for the Athens Games.

Hatch is going to her first Olympics at the grand old age of 26 and with a five-year retirement already in her past. Bhardwaj, who turns 26 on Sept. 29, brings an impressive college resume that she earned after all but abandoning hope of making the Olympics in the late 1990s.

Both are happy they gave it another try.

“All these girls have been working for this for four years. I’ve been working for it for 12,” said Bhardwaj, whose training has been subsidized by former “Baywatch” star Pamela Anderson.

Joining them on the team are Courtney McCool, Terin Humphrey and co-national champions Carly Patterson and Courtney Kupets.

Named as alternates were Tasha Schwikert, the only holdover from the 2000 Olympic team; Chellsie Memmel, a double gold medalist at last summer’s world championships; and Allyse Ishino. Also, Kelli Hill was selected to oversee the Olympic squad. Her appointment was announced after the selection of the six-woman team.

Hill was head coach at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, where the Americans finished fourth. She also was one of the coaches at last summer’s world championships, when the American women won the team gold.