LIEVIN (France), March 4: France’s Eunice Barber will not compete in the world indoor athletics championships in Moscow next week because of an ongoing ankle injury, French athletics team director Franck Chevallier confirmed on Saturday.

Barber, 31, had been due to compete in the longjump event in Moscow from March 10-12 but was discouraged by her form during the meet at Lievin on Friday.

“It’s not worth taking any risks,” said Chevallier. “Yesterday she could not compete normally because of her ankle and her performance, 6.33m, completely dissauded her from going.”

Barber had said: “I don’t want to go if below my best. It will depend on my result at Lievin.” Barber won the world heptathlon title in 1999, she won the world long jump title in 2003 and finished second in heptathlon in 2003 and 2005.—AFP