March 26, (THEWILL) – Eunice Barber, the 49-year-old former world heptathlon champion, suffered minor injuries after being punched in the face by a passenger on a Paris suburban train. The attack occurred on Tuesday, raising concerns about safety on public transportation.
According to a police source, the Sierra Leonean-born French athlete was assaulted after requesting a loud passenger to speak less noisily on his phone during the journey from Franconville, 17km northwest of Paris, into the city. Barber received two blows to the face, resulting in a slight injury to her right cheekbone.
Barber promptly filed a complaint with the police, ensuring that the perpetrator faced appropriate legal consequences. Authorities swiftly responded to the incident. A 43-year-old man was arrested when the train reached its destination at the Gare du Nord station in central Paris.
A five-time world medallist, Barber’s achievements in athletics are remarkable. She won the world heptathlon gold in Seville in 1999 and the long jump title at the 2003 world championships in Paris. Her illustrious career serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes worldwide.
As Paris gears up to host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11, this incident raises concerns about the safety of athletes and visitors alike. Authorities are expected to take necessary measures to prevent such occurrences during the prestigious event.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
