ROME (AP) — Italian prosecutors and the Italian Olympic Committee are investigating reports cyclist Riccardo Ricco was hospitalized after an alleged self-inflicted blood transfusion.
The Gazzetto dello Sport reported Wednesday that doctors at Pavullo Hospital in Modena quoted Ricco as saying he administered a transfusion on himself using blood stored in the refrigerator for 25 days.
The paper said he was admitted to the hospital on Sunday in a state of shock. Ricco was expected to be released on Wednesday.
The paper reported prosecutors have opened an investigation.
Ricco signed with Vacansoleil this season after a 20-month ban for doping at the 2008 Tour de France. His team withdrew him from the five-day Tour of the Mediterranean that started Wednesday.
