PHILADELPHIA — National gymnastics champion David Sender couldn't compete at the Olympic trials today because he was still hobbled by a sprained ankle from a fluke training accident.

Sender didn't compete Thursday, but had held out hope he might be able to go in the finals.

He has already petitioned for a spot on the Olympic team. At least two men will be named to the Olympic team Saturday night, with the rest of the team and/or a training squad announced Sunday.

Reigning Olympic champion Paul Hamm, who broke his hand at the national championships last month, also has petitioned for a spot and is expected to be named to the team.

"It's definitely not good to not be able to compete," Sender's coach, Thom Glielmi, said earlier this week. "He needs to be out there. He would be out there if the ankle permitted. That said, the selection committee is knowledgeable."

Sender was working on high bar Wednesday afternoon when he took a harmless fall. The bar continued to shake afterward, and he jumped up to steady it. But when he came back down, only the top half of his right foot landed on the thick mat and his foot rolled over. Sender fell to the ground in pain, grabbing his ankle.

Tests Wednesday showed Sender's ankle isn't broken and there are no torn ligaments. He returned to the arena on crutches after the tests and immediately began treatment.