BEIJING — Alexander “Sasha” Artemev came to Beijing as an alternate on the U.S. Olympic men’s gymnastics team. But the son of Soviet gymnasts performed like a star to help Team USA clinch an unexpected bronze medal in the team event.
China ran away to the gold with an overwhelming show before a raucous home crowd, while Japan took the silver.
Artemev’s rock-solid routine on his signature apparatus helped get America a medal.
Known for spectacular routines and sometimes maddening lapses, the Highlands Ranch resident nailed his pommel horse routine when it was needed most, assuring Team USA of its third-ever men’s team medal. It was his only routine, but he made it count.
“I was a little bit nervous, I’m not going to lie,” Artemev said. “I used that energy to say to myself, ‘I’m not going to fall off this horse no matter what, the team needs me, let’s prove to them that I’m clutch when it comes to these types of situations.’ ”
Artemev won a pommel horse bronze medal at the 2006 world championships, proving he can be one of the world’s best. But he fell off the horse both days at Olympic Trials, costing him a spot on the team. That’s why he was bypassed in the initial team selection.
He certified his selection by posting the fourth-best score of the day on horse.
“The kid’s a soldier,” said teammate Justin Spring. “He did what he had to do, knew what he had to do. I thought he was coming off at least twice in that routine, but he worked it somehow and stayed on that thing. Amazing.”
Led by the incomparable Yang Wei, heavily favored China did not disappoint.
“We always, always believed we could do this,” said U.S. coach Kevin Mazeika. “The guys never gave up. We knew the heart and spirit of our team, and (that) all the hard work would pay off.”
Few expected the U.S. men to challenge for a medal after Paul and Morgan Hamm were forced to withdraw in recent days because of injuries. The Hamms, who were the team’s only athletes with Olympic experience, were replaced by Raj Bhavsar and then Artemev.
But with solid performances in Saturday’s qualification rounds, the U.S. men served notice that they could perform under pressure, and they did it again today. They were in good shape through the first three rotations and then had tremendous performances by Joe Hagerty, Jonathan Horton and Spring on high bar.
They went to pommel horse in second place, but after Kevin Tan had a poor performance (12.775) and Bhavsar didn’t do much better (13.750), they needed Artemev to be Good Sasha, not Bad Sasha. He delivered, scoring 15.350.
“This is a long-lived dream,” Artemev said. “To be thrown into this team so quick, that’s what makes it so good, for these guys to accept me.”
Artemev was named to the team as Morgan Hamm’s replacement last Thursday, less than 48 hours before the team qualification round.
“I think it took a little bit of pressure off, not thinking about the Olympic Games the whole time I was here,” Artemev said. “I just kind of worked out, did my plan.”
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
