Justin Spring was disappointed he didn't qualify for an individual final in Beijing. But the former Illini accomplished his second goal, helping the U.S. gymnastic team bring home a bronze medal Monday night.

During the Olympics, former UI gymnast Justin Spring will write an occasional diary. For more, check out Spring's Web site.

BEIJING — Justin Spring won't be bringing an individual medal home from the Summer Games this year.

But the former Illini gymnast still has hopes that he can help the United States to the team gold.

Former Illini gymnast Justin Spring is in Beijing preparing for the upcoming Olympic Games. Here's the latest from one of the finest athletes in UI history, who is providing a diary for The News-Gazette:

During the Olympics, former UI gymnast  Justin Spring will write an occasional diary for The News-Gazette.

Today I arrived at the processing center at San Jose State in California with two other members of the team. The USOC flew me in a day early because we have to go through processing and an ambassador’s class early (this) morning.

Former Illini gymnast and assistant coach Butch Zunich will serve as a judge in the Beijing Olympics.

URBANA – Within his biographical page on the USA Gymnastics Web site, Justin Spring identifies his favorite foods as steak and fish.

Then, the former Illinois All-American offers this dietary addendum: "I'll eat pretty much anything, though."

Former Illinois gymnast and current Illini assistant Justin Spring was selected to the U.S. men's Olympic team on Sunday a day after the U.S. Olympic Trials in Philadelphia.

Combined scores from four days of competition at the U.S. Championships and Olympic Trials put Spring in first place on parallel bars, second on vault, third on high bar and seventh on rings.