News18 Apr 2003


Barber 'patiently' preparing for Paris

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Eunice Barber prepares to throw during the 1999 World Championhips Heptathlon (© Getty Images)

Eunice Barber of France was the World Heptathlon champion in Seville 1999, but in spite of producing the world's best score in 2000 at Götzis (6842pts), she didn't reach her goal of an Olympic medal in Sydney. Due to injuries, Barber called it quits after the long jump.

The following year brought more disappointment. Barber's quest for repeat World Championships glory, ended in Edmonton after she fouled out of the Shot Put. The defending champion retired from the competition, but not from her career.
 
Giving up wasn't even an option when she was dealt with an injury in 2002. 

”My focus is on the World Championships in Paris and things are going pretty well,” confirmed Barber.

However, she is the first to tell you that she had a pretty bad time last year. Her left foot was paralyzed and things didn't look good at all. But she is thankful for the lesson learned about the things we tend to take for granted - like our health.

But with the summer's biggest meet only four months away, Barber could be an advertisement for confidence and excitement.

”I just have to be patient. By August I'll be in good shape.”

It must be hard to be patient when you really want to come back?

”It's necessary! If you rush it you will do something bad and stay out of action for longer. In athletics there are good times and bad times, so I just have to learn to be patient.”

Sitting out the 2002 season taught Barber how much she enjoys the sport.

”You appreciate the times when you are feeling good. Not just as an athlete, but in everyday life. Things can happen, you can break a foot or have an accident.”
 
”That's how it happened for me. I was up early in the morning and everything was fine, but by nine my left foot was paralyzed.”

Needless to say Barber was shocked and frightened.

”Every time I get up I thank God for this life. I really do appreciate life, because I know that anything can happen. I'm really grateful, because some people never come back in sport. Look at Martina Hingis (tennis).

The doctors explained that Barber’s situation was a result of too much hard work.

”I overdid my work outs and the nerve behind the left knee got paralyzed. Actually at first the diagnostic was wrong. The doctor thought it was coming from her back. When Eunice saw her physiotherapist he put ice on her knee. The knee went numb.”

Today Barber is full of life. She's excited and knows that many people are in her corner.

”I will show them that I'm desperate to come back, and I'm desperate to beat my record, (6861 from 1999) and I'm really desperate...I think I'm fine!” Barber laughs.

”Time,” says Barber. “I just need some time to train and get my techniques and my power back.”

On a Saturday afternoon on 5 April 2003, Barber long jumped 6.33 and ran the 100 metre Hurdles in 13.35 at the first Rafer Johnson-Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational at UCLA in Los Angeles.

”That gives me confidence, especially since I was sick this week. The American food made me sick and on Tuesday I vomited all night, and my head and stomach were killing me.”

She is not physically fit, but that's not to be expected after only two months of work outs.

”I have enough time before the World Championships. I can't be unhappy with the way things are.”

While in California, she is coached by none other than Bob Kersee - husband of Jackie Joyner-Kersee, whose 7291pts performance from when winning the Olympics in 1988 still holds the World Heptathlon record.
 
”Jackie lives in St. Louis, but when she is in LA she helps me. She is very encouraging and is always asking, ‘how are you feeling’? Jackie tells me not to rush it, because she's been through injuries and knows what to do. I'm really grateful to her, she's one of my inspirations. I met her at the Olympics in 1992 in Barcelona when I was 16, and I told her that ‘one day I want to be like you’.”

Bob Kersee is convinced that Barber can break 7000 points this year.

”He believes in me, and so do I. I am only 28 and I have many more years if I stay healthy. This year I am coming back, and in 2004 I think I'll do really fine, because I have lots of experience. I know when my body is tired and I can just stop when I need to.”

What do you think of Carolina Klüft of Sweden, who won multi-event gold at the European Championships in Münich last year and at the World Indoors in March?

”She is young and very good. Carolina's done a great job. I haven't really followed her closely, because I have concentrated on myself, but she can be a great athlete if she knows how to manage herself.”

Barber looks forward to a showdown in Paris.

”It will be great. At home for me, I get excited thinking about it! She is young and will be a tough match-up for me,” concludes Barber.

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