Wednesday, 22 August 2007, 09:59 GMT 10:59 UK
Barber injury boosts British hope
Former world champion Eunice Barber has pulled out of the heptathlon at this week's World Championships in Japan because of a right leg injury.
The Frenchwoman, 32, was a serious medal contender and her withdrawal raises the medal hopes of British duo Kelly Sotherton and Jessica Ennis.
Barber, who won heptathlon silver behind Carolina Kluft in 2005, still intends to contest the long jump.
Morocco's Jaouad Gharib will not defend his marathon title because of injury.
The 35-year-old, who won back-to-back world titles in Paris and Helsinki, has been struggling with an injury since finishing fourth in this year's London Marathon.
The men's marathon is the opening event of the championships in Osaka on Saturday, when Sotherton and Ennis also begin their heptathlon campaigns.
E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Sotherton hopeful on javelin jinx
(20 Aug 07 |
Athletics
)
Kluft powers to heptathlon gold
(08 Aug 06 |
Athletics
)
Injured Barber out of heptathlon
(07 Aug 06 |
Athletics
)
Barber out of heptathlon
(16 Aug 04 |
Athletics
)
Sotherton slips up as Kluft wins
(07 Aug 05 |
Athletics
)
GB team for 2007 World Championships
(01 Aug 07 |
Athletics
)
RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Athletics on the BBC
BBC London Marathon index
International Athletics
UK Athletics
How to get involved in athletics
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Sport Homepage
|
Football
|
Formula 1
|
Olympics
|
Cricket
|
Rugby Union
|
Rugby League
|
Tennis
|
Golf
|
Athletics
|
Cycling
|
Motorsport
|
Boxing
|
Snooker
|
Horse Racing
|
Disability Sport
|
Other sport...
|
Sports Personality
|
TV/Radio Schedule
|
Sport Academy
|
Fun and Games
|
Northern Ireland
|
Scotland
|
Wales
Athletics Contents:
Skills
|
Get Involved
^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~06~RS~)