COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Gymnast Morgan Hamm, who was selected for his third Olympic team last month, received a warning yesterday for getting a prescribed anti-inflammatory shot without the proper clearance from anti-doping authorities.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Hamm tested positive May 24 at the U.S. gymnastics championships for a glucocorticosteroid, a cortisone-like drug that is only allowed during competitions with an exemption. Hamm said he received the shot May 2 for pain and inflammation in his left ankle, which he initially injured last August.

"It was an innocent mistake," Hamm said. "You always need to get the forms, that's the most important thing, and that's my failure."

Hamm accepted the warning for his first doping violation, and his results from the May 24 competition at nationals were thrown out. Results from that day, as well as the first day of nationals and two days of Olympic trials, were used to help determine the U.S. team for Beijing.

"We are investigating the statement from USADA, and we will work with USADA, the USOC and Morgan to determine the next best steps," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics.

Darryl Seibel, a spokesman for the U.S. Olympic Committee, said, "So long as the proper documentation is provided to USADA, this will not be a problem going forward."

The anti-inflammatory Hamm took is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances, but athletes can take it before a competition if they receive an exemption. Hamm said he was given the drug by his doctor, Mark Triffon, but failed to ask for the exemption.

Hamm said he didn't realize he needed the exemption. Avery said he was aware an exemption was needed but failed to remind Hamm.

ELSEWHERE

Triple jump: Former Olympic champion triple jumper Tereza Marinova of Bulgaria retired weeks before the Beijing Games because of an Achilles' tendon injury that worsened the past six months. The 30-year-old Marinova won the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, leaping 49 feet, 10 1/2 inches.

Tennis: Amelie Mauresmo withdrew from the Olympic tennis tournament because she was not chosen to compete in singles. The former top-ranked Frenchwoman, who won the silver medal in singles at the 2004 Olympics, was only selected to compete in doubles in Beijing.

Track and field: Dwain Chambers' lawyers launched a court appeal yesterday to overturn the British sprinter's lifetime ban from the Olympics so he can compete in the Beijing Games. Chambers returned to the track this year after serving a two-year doping ban from 2003-05. He tested positive for the steroid THG in August 2003.