NEW YORK – Now that Paul Hamm knows how he compares to his fellow Americans, it’s time to get a look at the rest of the world. For Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson, the competition is a little closer to home.

The Beijing Olympics are still five months away, but gymnasts will begin jockeying for status at the American Cup today. The meet is traditionally a preview of the gold-medal contenders and, with a tough men’s field and Johnson and Liukin renewing their rivalry in the women’s competition, this year is no different.

“We’re all starting from the start line again and we all have a blank slate,” Johnson said Friday. “And we’re all fighting for that finish line again.”

For Hamm, this meet gives him a chance to see how he measures up against the best of the rest after his post-Athens layoff.

The reigning Olympic champion took 2 1/2 years off after winning gold in Athens, earning his degree at Ohio State and enjoying being an “ordinary” college student. He returned about a year ago with twin brother, Morgan – and he might be better than when he left.

At the Winter Cup three weeks ago, his first full meet since returning, he routed his fellow Americans, winning by more than seven points. But today’s meet will be tougher.

Much tougher.

The American Cup field includes the men who finished second through fourth at last fall’s world championships: silver medalist Fabian Hambuechen of Germany, bronze medalist Hisashi Mizutori of Japan and Jonathan Horton, who has also won the last two American Cup titles.

Former U.S. champion Sasha Artemev is also competing.