A Tour of Belgium spokesperson said that Belgian rider STIG BROECKX has been "taken to hospital for tests after the 26-year old was involved in a crash involving motorbikes" on the third stage of the race. The spokesperson said that the crash "involved two motorbikes and 19 riders." Five of the riders were taken to hospitals near the crash, "which took place near Verviers, close to the border with Germany" (REUTERS, 5/28). ... PAU GASOL is "considering not playing at the Olympics because of the Zika virus." The Spanish basketball player said Monday that there is "too much uncertainty about the situation in Brazil" and anyone going to Rio de Janeiro for the games should "think about" whether it is worth the risk. The NBA Chicago Bulls player said that "other Spanish athletes have also expressed their concerns about the virus." Gasol: "It wouldn't surprise me to see some athletes deciding not to participate in the games to avoid putting their health and the health of their families at risk" (AP, 5/30). ... Mexico int'l footballer ALAN PULIDO "has been rescued in north-east Mexico hours after he was kidnapped." Pulido, 25, appeared with a bandaged hand and said that he was "very well." Officials said that the rescue operation was "carried out on Sunday night, without giving more details." Pulido was "kidnapped in Ciudad Victoria, in Tamaulipas state" (BBC, 5/30). ... Cricketer ALASTAIR COOK has become the "first Englishman past 10,000 in Test cricket on the fourth day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Riverside." Cook achieved the feat when he "tucked NUWAN PRADEEP for a boundary to midwicket from the sixth ball he faced as England closed on a series-sealing victory." Already England’s record run scorer, "the 31-year-old has become the 12th player to join the 10,000 club having played 127 Tests for England and scored 28 centuries since making his debut against India in 2006" (London GUARDIAN, 5/30). ... French footballer MAMADOU SAKHO's 30-day provisional ban for "failing a drugs test has not been extended" by UEFA, pending an investigation into "whether the substance he used should be prohibited." The Liverpool defender is "free to play again as from Sunday and could be included in DIDIER DESCHAMPS' France squad for this summer's European Championships" (London INDEPENDENT, 5/28).
