体坛英语新闻：FIFA secretary general Valcke hospitalized in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has been hospitalized in Rio with a urinary infection, forcing him to cancel meetings with Brazil's 2014 World Cup organizers.

The 52-year-old was admitted to the Samaritano hospital in the Rio neighborhood of Botafogo on Wednesday night, O Globo reported on Thursday.

"Jerome is in hospital with an infection," FIFA marketing director Thierry Weil said. "He is fine but needs to stay there under observation for two or three days."

A hospital spokesperson said the Frenchman had complained of abdominal pain and received treatment for the infection immediately after undergoing a series of tests.

On Tuesday Valcke expressed his continued concern at the slow pace of preparations for next year's Confederations Cup, considered an organizational warm-up for the World Cup the following year.

"Few stadiums will be delivered on time. Things need to speed up for the Confederations Cup," he said.