Pre-game crash leaves 13 injured

Europa Press and AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, May 16, 2025, p. a11

Barcelona. Tragedy struck the Barcelona stadium. Around 13 people were injured after being run over outside the RCDE Stadium, before the match between Barcelona and Espanyol.

According to the Medical Emergency System on the social network X, four people remained in serious condition.

The situation is under control and in no way poses a risk to the people inside the sports facility , they added.

The accident occurred after a woman lost control of the vehicle she was driving, a white Peugeot 208, and hit the people in front of her. Videos show the car accelerating in the middle of the crowd and hitting the spectators, while other fans threw bottles at it.

Emergency services treated the injured and there was a large police presence.

Following the incident, the Catalan police opened an investigation to clarify the events and arrested the driver responsible.

Inside the stadium, shortly after the match began, play was halted for a few moments around the 8th minute to acknowledge the incident.

Through the PA system, the club described what happened as an accident, and referee César Soto Grado, from La Rioja, after speaking with a representative of the Mossos d'Esquadra and the delegates of both teams, announced shortly afterward that the match should resume.

▲ Although the Baja California native will undergo another surgery, she hasn't lost hope of adding another Olympic Games to her list of achievements. Photo AFP

Joshua Reyes Samano

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, May 16, 2025, p. a12

Alexa Moreno's future in artistic gymnastics is uncertain. The Mexican revealed that so many years as a high-performance athlete have damaged her body, requiring another surgical procedure to determine whether she will compete in her fourth Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028. While taking a break from acrobatics, the Baja California native decided to pivot her career to organize the Believe Cup, a tournament that will take place from June 9 to 14 at the High Performance Center in Tijuana, with the aim of inviting promising young athletes to enjoy gymnastics.

I do these kinds of projects because I'm not training. I had ankle surgery in February and I still need another one on my knee. The truth is that doing the same thing for 27 years takes its toll physically, and I want to be healthy. I'd love another Olympic cycle; if I could, I'd try. But if I notice I'm not training as I'd like to reach the right level, I don't see much point in it. "Right now, I can't decide ," she commented in a press video conference.

With a charismatic and extroverted personality, Moreno maintains her simplicity and contagious smile as she faces the organization of her first tournament in this specialty, in which the goal is clear: that the gymnasts enjoy it and have a great time .

"It's a new and somewhat different experience. The feeling of having a good time in a competition has been lost, and I've experienced it. I'll be accompanying the participants throughout the competition. It's about being close to them and showing that we do gymnastics because we love it, and that without pressure, great things can be achieved ," she added.

Moreno, who made her summer debut at Rio 2016, became the leading figure in her sport in Mexico thanks to her outstanding performances in international competitions, as well as for breaking aesthetic stereotypes in her sport by facing cyberbullying due to prejudices about her body. Last year, her career inspired a Barbie doll model.

"Seeing a Barbie made in my likeness makes me feel like I've done a good job, that I've been able to motivate other people to achieve something great. It's a huge responsibility. I like success stories, of characters who get back up after every fall. The best thing is not to be afraid to dream and take the plunge ," Moreno said at the time in a video on social media.

In response to the multiple allegations of sexual abuse against former coach Eduardo Damazo Rodríguez in Nuevo León, the world medalist expressed solidarity with the victims.

It's a really complicated issue. I don't have any experience with this type of business; I haven't experienced it in any way, either from the outside or the inside. I also don't know anyone directly involved in these types of situations; it really saddens me to know they happen, but I can't offer an opinion on how these cases might be addressed. If you're going to open your own gym, you should have certain guidelines to avoid something like this.

At the tournament she's organizing, Moreno explained her mission is to make it visually appealing to the public by implementing colorful lights and music. She also expressed her enthusiasm for the new mixed gymnastics event for Los Angeles 2028.

"I'm very excited about this new event. It's intriguing to see how they're going to implement it, because I don't think it's that clear, but I'd definitely like to participate. "That's what gymnastics needs: some kind of change ," concluded the Mexican, who remains enthusiastic about adding another Olympic title to her list.

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, May 16, 2025, p. a12

Los Angeles. NFL team owners will vote next week on a resolution that would authorize their players to compete in the 2028 Olympic flag football tournament in Los Angeles.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the league, the matter was included on the agenda for the meeting to be held in Minnesota.

The resolution establishes the participation rules for NFL stars who, if approved, could form a new Dream Team in Los Angeles that would expand the popularity of their sport globally.

The regulations currently on the table contemplate the inclusion of a single player per team in each of the participating national teams.

Several NFL stars have expressed interest in competing for Olympic flag football medals.

Among them are quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City) and Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia), rivals in the last Super Bowl.

In flag football, which usually involves teams of five (sometimes seven) players, to stop a player you have to snatch one of the two strips of fabric attached to his hips.

This modality does not allow for physical obstruction, which significantly reduces the risk of injury, including concussions, one of the greatest dangers in American football.

▲ Australian Kaden Groves of the Alpecin team won the sprint in Naples, stage six of the Giro d'Italia, marked by a massive crash that forced several riders to retire, including favorite Jai Hindley, who suffered a concussion. Mexican Isaac del Toro (right), of the UAE Team Emirates, finished in 156th place, but remains in fifth place in the general classification. His teammate Juan Ayuso (left) is chasing the tricolor and is one position behind. Photo AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, May 16, 2025, p. a12