Olympic Cyclist in Coma After Car Crash

[Kid A]

not a roadie so dont know anything about this guy but passing on

AP
Posted: 2008-07-15 13:29:25
HAVANA (July 15) - Cuban cyclist Pedro Pablo Perez is in a coma following a car crash and will miss the Beijing Olympics.

The 31-year-old Perez suffered "cerebral ... lacerations and remains in a coma" after a traffic accident on Monday in San Cristobal in the western province of Pinar del Rio, according to the Communist Party newspaper Granma on Tuesday.

Perez, who competed in the road race at the 2000 Sydney Games and qualified for Beijing, was in a vehicle in the crash but it was uncertain whether he was a driver or passenger.

A spokesman for the national cycling team refused to comment.

Perez medaled at the 1999 and 2003 Pan American Games, and this year won his fifth Tour of Cuba.

He is married to Yoanka Gonzalez, 2004 world champion in scratch cycling. She was not present at the time of the crash.