Poblete gives birth to premature boy

SAO PAULO, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Chilean Olympic weightlifter Elizabeth Poblete has given birth in Brazil to a 3-months premature boy and says she didn't know she was pregnant.

The O Globo Web site reported Poblete, 22, reported feeling unwell last Tuesday and the baby was born a short time later. Mother and child were transported to a Sao Paulo hospital.

O Globo said Poblete told hospital officials she did not have the resources to pay the bill. She was discharged but the infant remains in intensive care.

Poblete told doctors she did not know she was pregnant and Dr. Valdemir Resende told O Globo it's possible endorphins could have masked pregnancy symptoms.

Poblete named her son Eric Joseph. The baby, who was reported on ventilator, weighed in at 2 1/2 pounds and measured 12 inches. There was no mention in the report of the father.

The 5-foot-3, 165-pound Poblete competed in the Beijing Summer Games, finishing 12th in the 69-75kg division.