(Sports Network) - Gymnast Morgan Hamm, chosen less than two weeks ago to his third Olympics team, tested positive for a prescribed substance without first getting the proper clearance, according to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The 25-year-old Hamm, who is currently dealing with an ankle injury and has already overcome a torn pectoral muscle late last year, accepted a public warning for his first offense.

The offense involved the use of a prescribed anti-inflammatory medication under the care of a physician, but without first seeking a therapeutic use exemption as required by the applicable rules, according to USADA. Hamm tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide, a glucocorticosteroid, on May 24, about a month prior to the Olympic trials.

Triamcinolone acetonide is prohibited under the rules of the Federation International of Gymnastics (FIG) and USADA, both of which adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) prohibited list. Although the substance is prohibited under the rules, an athlete who provides documentation in advance of competition, confirming the diagnosis of a valid medical need, may receive an exemption allowing the use of the substance.

At the time of the test, Hamm did not have an exemption to use the noted substance.

As a result of the violation, Hamm was disqualified from the competitive results obtained at nationals on May 24, the day the sample was collected.

USA Gymnastics released a statement about the violation.

"USA Gymnastics will review this situation to determine how this may impact his qualification to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team," the statement read.

Hamm's twin brother, Paul, the reigning Olympic all-around champion, is recovering from a broken bone in his right hand suffered on May 22 at the Visa Championships in Houston.



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