BEIJING — Paul Hamm's text message to his twin brother Morgan was simple: "Thinking of coming to China. What do you think?"

Morgan thinks it's a great idea.

The defending men's gymnastics gold medalist withdrew from the U.S. team last month with hand and shoulder injuries. His twin made the team after dealing with his own injury issues and is the only returning Olympian on the American squad.

Morgan Hamm would welcome having Paul come to Beijing before the men start Saturday.

"I told him to go for it," Morgan said Wednesday with a slight smile. "I told him, 'I'd love to have you here. Get on a plane."'

Paul Hamm might do just that. No one with USA Gymnastics could be sure of his plans because the text message reached Morgan just before he attended a news conference. So Morgan was uncertain what Paul would do next.

"He texted me: 'You're at the Olympics, I wish I could be there.' I didn't have time to respond," Morgan said. "Just to see him and talk to him about how he is doing and about my gymnastics would be really helpful for both of us."

Paul and Morgan Hamm were on the 2000 and 2004 Olympic teams. They were 17 at Sydney and 21 at Athens, where Paul won the all-around gold.

"He is at the point of finishing up the sport, while I am at the peak of gymnastics at the Olympics," Morgan said. "We kind of coach each other, so it would be helpful."