World
champion heptathlete Eunice Barber chooses Bob Kersee as coach
AFP
14 December 2000 - Paris - France's world champion heptathlete Eunice Barber announced on Thursday that she will be coached in the United States by Bob Kersee, the husband and mentor of one of the world's greatest women athletes, Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
Barber, 26, won the 1999 world championships in Seville but failed to finish the competition at the Sydney Olympics when she had been expected to rival eventual winner Denise Lewis of Britain.
Barber said she would be training in Orlando, Florida with Bob Kersee. Barber told a press conference in Paris: "I spent a few days with him (Kersee) and it was all extremely positive. There was a desire to work together from both sides."
Barber had split from her coach, Francoise Pepin, shortly before the Olympics, leading him to accuse her of letting success go to her head and "acting like a star".
But Barber refused to be drawn into commenting on that episode and instead spoke of Kersee's formidable record.
"Bob no longer has to prove himself and I will benefit from the irreplaceable experience of Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
"She's going to get involved and she seems very interested to give me advice."
Joyner-Kersee, who retired from competition this year, was gold medallist in the heptathlon and long jump at the 1988 Olympics and gold medallist in the heptathlon at the 1992 Olympics.
Her husband also trained Florence Griffith-Joyner, who set world records at 100m and 200m.
