US without Hamm for Worlds

The US men's gymnastics team expect to be medal contenders at next week's world championships in Melbourne despite the absence of Olympic all-round champion Paul Hamm.

Hamm, who won gold in Athens last year but then had to undergo a CAS hearing to determine whether he could keep it after a judging error, has taken the year off competition.

All-round competitor Todd Thornton said he did not feel under pressure.

"Paul is a guy that hits all his routines almost all the time. Anyone who can do that will do a good job," said Thornton.

"I'm trying to match him as far as my routines (go). My main focus has been in getting all my routines together."