INDIANAPOLIS — Morgan Hamm's petition to the U.S. gymnastics championships was approved today, keeping alive his quest to make a third Olympic squad.

Hamm dropped out of a qualifying meet Wednesday, suffering from an allergic reaction that made breathing difficult. He is on the comeback trail after tearing a pectoral muscle in October. The qualifying meet in Colorado Springs, Colo., was his first competition since the injury.

He planned to compete in four events, but dropped out after two, saying he could barely breathe during the floor exercise. It meant he had to file a petition to gain a spot in next month's nationals. Predictably, the request was approved.

Performances at nationals in May and the Olympic Trials in June will determine the six-man squad that will compete at the Beijing Olympics in August.

Hamm's brother, Paul, is the defending Olympic champion and a good bet to make the squad. Other top contenders include Jonathan Horton, a fourth-place finisher in the all-around at worlds last year, and Sasha Artemev and David Durante, the last two national champions.

Morgan Hamm will try to make it as a specialist on floor, pommel horse, vault and high bar.