Eunice Barber, once hailed as a world heptathlon champion, found herself in a distressing ordeal on a Paris suburban train.
The 49-year-old athlete encountered minor injuries after being punched in the face by a passenger. It all began innocuously enough, with Barber politely requesting a boisterous commuter to lower his voice while conversing on his phone.
Little did she anticipate the violent response that followed. In a shocking turn of events, the inebriated passenger unleashed two vicious blows to her face, leaving her with a slight injury to her right cheekbone.
The incident unfolded during a routine journey from Franconville to Paris, a mere 17 kilometers away.
However, the tranquility of the commute was shattered by this unexpected eruption of violence.
But Barber's resilience prevailed, as she promptly reported the assault to the authorities upon arrival at Gare du Nord station in central Paris.
Swift action ensued as law enforcement apprehended the 43-year-old man.
She wasted no time in filing an official complaint, determined to see justice served.
Barber is a decorated athlete with five world medals to her name, including the coveted heptathlon gold in Seville '99 and the long jump title in Paris '03, her contributions to the world of athletics are undeniable.
According to details, the Summer Olympics is slated to be held from July 26 to August 11.
