Barber out of heptathlon

Barber has yet to decide if she will compete in the long jump

French star Eunice Barber has withdrawn from the Olympics heptathlon and is yet to decide if she will compete in the long jump in Athens.

The 29-year-old, hampered by a torn thigh muscle since early July, will still travel to the Games.

"In my head I'm 150%, even 200%, but my body is still slowing me down a little, and I have to respect it," Barber said.

"I trained this morning, but there are still some things that ought to happen and that aren't happening yet."

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Barber, the Sierra Leone-born star, won gold in the long jump and silver in the heptathlon at last year's World Championships, but will now focus on one event.

The heptathlon begins on 20 August while the long jump starts five days later.

Another of France's medal hopes, Mehdi Baala, is also doubtful for the Games.

The men's 1500m world silver medallist is nursing a twisted ankle - the same complaint he was suffering from prior to the Sydney Olympics, where he finished fourth.

But France's world 200m bronze medallist Muriel Hurtis is back on course for an Olympic title after fully recovering from a leg muscle injury.