Beijing 2008 - Radcliffe 'fresh' as Noguchi pulls out

Eurosport - Tue, 12 Aug 11:58:00 2008

Britain's Paula Radcliffe has said she is feeling fresh and healthy for the Beijing Olympic marathon.

ATHLETICS Paula Radcliffe - 0

Radcliffe, who holds the women's marathon world record but has never won an Olympic medal, admits she is under-prepared but says she is in better shape than at the 2004 Games when she failed to finish despite being among the favourites.

"I'd rather go into the race healthy and a little bit under-prepared than in the shape I was in 2004: not healthy and not well enough to endure the race," Radcliffe told the BBC.

"I'll be the freshest on the start line for sure and I think I'll probably be one of the happiest to be there because there have been those points when I really didn't think I would make it."

The Briton is boosted by the absence of Japanese Olympic champion Mizuki Noguchi, who pulled out of the Games on Tuesday due to an injury.

Specialists had said the stress fracture to Radcliffe's left femur would make it impossible for her compete in Beijing, but the 34-year-old athlete has been cross-training hard and pushing her body to the limit.

"The only reason I wouldn't be able to finish would be if my leg couldn't handle it but I've been encouraged by what it's handled coming out here," she said.

"I have tested it and pushed it. [It is] coping with good amounts of running."

The women's marathon takes place on Sunday.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 9 of 9

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  1. I wish Paula all the best, as a sub 4 marathoner &­ 50 years old anyone who is making those negitive­ comments does not understand the challenges of the­ race, my situation hardly compares with Paula but I­ train hard, stuggle with injuries & its very tough.­ You just don't know what you will do on the day, so­ much can go right or wrong & thats the bottom line­ !

    From Jane W, on Thu 14 Aug 1:12AM

  2. Tony Zambezi and Helena: what an ignorant duo. I bet­ they haven't got a school egg and spoon race­ between them. Snide,vindictive comments by a pair of­ lardy couch potatoes - see, I can do it as well. Shame­ on the two of you.

    From SIMON B, on Tue 12 Aug 10:20PM

  3. those who pass negative comments have obviously no idea­ what training for or running a marathon really­ involves.Try it and see I dare you Tony Zambesi­ !.Ranelagh runner.

    From garrod291, on Tue 12 Aug 9:23PM

  4. those who pass negative comments have obviously no idea­ what training for or running a marathon really­ involves.Try it and see I dare you Tony Zambesi­ !.Ranelagh runner.

    From garrod291, on Tue 12 Aug 9:22PM

  5. those who pass negative comments have obviously no idea­ what training for or running a marathon really­ involves.Try it and see I dare you Tony Zambesi­ !.Ranelagh runner.

    From garrod291, on Tue 12 Aug 9:21PM

  6. I completely agree with you, Tony Zambesi. She's­ making excuses so that when she fails to finish the­ race (again) she can say: "But I told you I­ wouldn't be able to do it".
    She should just­ shut up and get on with it. If she wins, I'll be­ happy for her; she'll have no sympathy from me if­ she fails to finish.

    From Helena, on Tue 12 Aug 4:10PM

  7. It goes against my better judgement to comment but­ -SHE'S TOO MUCH OF A DRAMA QUEEN with too many­ excuses before she even runs. Someone hopefully will­ put her in her place

    From Tony Zambesi, on Tue 12 Aug 1:22PM

  8. Wishing you win ,good luck Paula. and have you ever­ been in [ naturistmeet ]com ,I remember you , maybe I­ got wrong...but

    From single, on Tue 12 Aug 1:20PM

  9. Wishing you the best of luck Paula. You deserve to win.­ Good luck. Pete.

    From pete.berryman92220, on Tue 12 Aug 1:11PM
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