Dutch professional cyclist GIJS VERDICK died a week "after suffering two heart attacks at the under 23 Carpathian Couriers Race in Poland." Verdick was 21-years-old and "riding his first season at continental level." He is the "second rider to die of a heart attack at a race this season after DAAN MYNGHEER passed away in March following a cardiac arrest during the opening stage of the Criterium International" (CYCLING NEWS, 5/10). ... Former New Zealand cricketer DANNY MORRISON "has come under fire after performing an ill-advised Indian impersonation live on TV."
Wearing a red turban and fake beard, Morrison "stunned viewers" as he oversaw an Indian Premier League coin toss during the game between Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the majority-Sikh city of Mohali.
Morrison "faced a backlash of criticism on Twitter."
But the 50-year-old "defended the stunt insisting it had been cleared by bosses at host broadcaster Sony TV" (London DAILY MIRROR, 5/10). ... Former defender ALAN ROGERS, who played for English sixth division football club Tranmere, "has been appointed as the manager of the Isle of Man’s Ellan Vannin national football team, ahead of a tournament this summer."
The Ellan Vannin National team takes part "in non-FIFA organised events, as opposed to the official Isle of Man team, which is run by the Isle of Man FA."
Rogers, who takes over from CHRIS BASS, "is the first non-Manx manager of the team" (LIVERPOOL ECHO, 5/10).
PLENTY OF FISH: Australian tennis player NICK KYRGIOS has defended compatriot BERNARD TOMIC "against allegations of failing to try during a match" and said that it was "up to the Australian Olympic Committee whether the pair were picked to represent the country at the Rio Olympics."
The 21-year-old and Tomic were warned by Australia’s Olympic Chef de Mission KITTY CHILLER at the weekend that they "were among a group of athletes whose behaviour was being monitored to judge their suitability for the Rio team." Kyrgios: "If you don’t want to pick me or Bernard, there are plenty of others you can pick to represent your country as well. If you don’t want two of the best players in Australia to represent your country, so be it" (REUTERS, 5/10)
STAY HOME: Retired Brazilian football player RIVALDO has "urged tourists to stay away from this summer's Rio Olympics for their own safety." The ex-Barcelona striker warned his followers on Instagram saying, "I urge all of you who are planning on visiting Brazil or coming for the Olympic Games this summer to stay in your countries. You are putting your life at risk here." He "sounded his warning" after the death of a 17-year-old was murdered in Rio last weekend. Rivaldo's message added: "This morning in Rio bandits killed this girl aged 17. Things are getting worse all the time in Brazil" (London DAILY MIRROR, 5/9).
MOST WANTED: Indonesian Sports Minister IMAM NAHRAWI said that the country wants to appoint JOSE MOURINHO "as head coach." Ranked 185th in the world, Indonesia has been banned from int'l competition since last year "over government interference in football."
Nahrawi said that "he has discussed a deal for the ex-Chelsea boss" -- thought to cost £13M ($18.8M) per year -- with Indonesian President JOKO WIDODO (BBC, 5/10).
