Eunice Barber, the former world heptathlon champion, sustained minor injuries when a passenger punched her in the face on a suburban train in Paris, according to a police source on Tuesday.
Barber, aged 49, was assaulted after requesting a passenger, who appeared to be intoxicated, to lower his voice while speaking on his phone. The incident occurred during her trip from Franconville, located 17km northwest of Paris, to the city center.
The police source reported that the French athlete, originally from Sierra Leone, suffered two punches to the face, causing a minor injury to her right cheekbone.
Upon the train’s arrival at the Gare du Nord station in central Paris, a 43-year-old man was taken into custody. Barber proceeded to file a complaint with the authorities.
Barber, who has claimed five world medals, secured the heptathlon gold in Seville in 1999 and the long jump title at the 2003 World Championships in Paris.
Paris is set to host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11.
