Scoring questioned in men's all-around gymnastics event
By Thomas O'Toole and Jill Lieber, USA TODAY
ATHENS — The International Gymnastics Federation opened an investigation Friday morning into the scoring of the men's all-around competition. It was not clear how or if it would affect Paul Hamm's dramatic gold medal.

The Korean gymnastics federation is appealing the razor-thin outcome of the men's all-around competition, which was won by Paul Hamm.
AFP photo

The ????utive committee members met at 11 a.m. Athens time to discuss the issue and decided to proceed with an in-depth review. A statement from the FIG said no further in????ation would be available until it completed the inquiry.

"In the case that judging errors have occurred, appropriate steps will be taken," the statement said.

Hamm became the first American man to win the Olympic all-around by the razor-thin margin of .012, closest in Games history. He barely defeated two Koreans. Word spread Thursday that the Korean federation was protesting the scoring of one of the events. But USA Gymnastics officials said there was no appeal. FIG decided very late Thursday night to call the Friday meeting. USA gymnastics president Bob Colarossi had not heard of the statement until told by a reporter. He had no comment.

FIG did not confirm Korea filed a protest, but Korean officials complained about scoring after Wednesday night's event.

"If Paul Hamm loses his gold medal it will be the worst thing ever to happen to gymnastics," American gymnast Blaine Wilson said.