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News09 Dec 1999


Doing what I can to improve the life of the Sierra Leone people

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"Doing what I can to improve the life of the Sierra Leone people"
Reynolds Quirin interviews Eunice Barber, Heptathlon World Champion

So, are you happy to be in Mauritius?
Yes. We came to Mauritius last April, and I really enjoyed the place and the welcome we received. It was just perfect! It’s probably for this reason that we have chosen to return here for preparatory training.

You are known as an elite athlete, but who is the real Eunice Barber?
With my friends I’m quite laid back. I don’t like talking only about athletics, and appreciate talking about other things. Otherwise, I’m really quite a calm person. I act the way I do because it is how I feel. It is not because I now have a World Championship title that I should be any different!

In winning a gold medal at the World Championships in Seville, what did you think of first: France or Sierra Leone? (Patricia Girard standing behind her cries out: "about me!")
Everybody. Of both countries. I was born in Sierra Leone and I ‘m not going to forget that from one day to the next. The Sierra Leone Athletic Federation allowed me to participate in the Seville World Championships for France. Personally I found that very generous on their behalf, as many Federations will not allow athletes to compete for other countries.

Tell us about the problems in Sierra Leone…
There are a lot of problems over there, and the situation has worsened recently. It started in 1993 with the rebellion. Now they are trying to negotiate peace, but it’s difficult, because there is no longer a war going on, but rather the after-effects: rape, robbery, break-ins and destroying houses. I hope it is all going to calm down, because it is becoming more and more serious.

Do members of your family still live there?
Yes my parents are still in Sierra Leone and they have no plans to leave. They are still hoping that everything will work out…as I do too!

Do you call them often?
Yes. I haven’t been able to speak to them for some time now, but I will try again soon.

Even though you are based in France, are you able to help them?
In fact I help them a lot, thanks to my earnings.

Are there people close to you who have been victims of the war?
Yes! Some of my family have lost their homes, as has been the case for most of the Sierra Leone people. At present my parents have moved to another region of the country and I hope they will be able to settle down there quietly. But this is not a certainty as the war may yet reach this area as well.

Do you see yourself returning to Sierra Leone once your athletics career is over?
Not forever, but I would like to do some business over there so that I can help the Sierra Leone population. It would be good if I could bring something extra to the people over there. I will return so that I can help the Sierra Leone people in my way. Bring my touch to the improvement of life over there.

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