Radcliffe out of women's marathon
Paula Radcliffe will not participate in the women's marathon
Paula Radcliffe's Olympic hopes have evaporated as she withdrew from the London 2012 women's marathon because of injury.
Speculation had been rife the 38-year-old world record-holder would pull out after a foot problem flared up again and the news was confirmed on Sunday.
A statement on the UK Athletics website read: "The British Olympic Association and UK Athletics announced this afternoon that marathon athlete Paula Radcliffe is being withdrawn from Team GB due to medical reasons."
It went on: "Radcliffe has been suffering with a foot problem and after a fitness test on Sunday it was concluded that she would not be able to race competitively to the best of her abilities."
Athletics team leader Charles van Commenee said: "This is obviously a disappointing day for Paula and our sport, but it was important to her that if she made the start line it would be in the best possible shape.
"It wasn't meant to be and she has taken the right decision to withdraw at this stage.
"I think it is important that we don't look at Paula's career in Olympic cycles. She is undoubtedly one of the greatest female distance runners of all times and still holds the marathon world record.
"When we look back at her career it should be in the context of what she has achieved and not what she hasn't. I wish her all the very best for her recovery."
Paul's comments about the training, the time away from family etc, this is a person's choice, no one forces her to do this, but remember that each marathon she takes part in earns her at least a quarter of a million, so it is not an altruistic approach. Just a shame that she cannot bring the same capability to Team GB where she has consistently failed to achieve anything worthwhile yet still takes up a place, denying someone else the chance to do well!
It's all $$$$££££ to this woman, she was good, now she (apart from the paid races) is not, certainly for Team GB!
Just hope that Paula doesnt read any of the negative, vile comments that i have read about her on here?
Cant understand why we so called Great British people feel the need to be so cruel and ridicule the people that bring us such excitement and entertainment into our living rooms, we should treasure and remember people like paula for all she has given to sport and to us the general public.
Great tribute by Gary Linekar and Brendan Foster on BBC tonight and these are the people we should be listening 2.
This nastiness is like a cancer that runs through some peoples veins, truly awful
Why are you showing this photo it is not current very bad taste
THIS LADY HAS BEEN A SUPERB ATHLETE SETTING A WORLD RECORD FOR THE MARATHON IN 2HRS 15 MINS WE HAVE A MAXIMUM OF 3 MALES IN THE UK WHO CAN DO THAT
SHE IS ALSO CLEAN AND CAMPAIGNES AGAINST DRUG CHEATS. ONE OF THE FEW TO DO
SO
SO ALL YOU FAT AND LAZY PEOPLE WHO MAKE ANTI COMMENTS HOW MANY OF YOU
CAN RUN A MARATHON UNDER 2 HOURS 30 MINUTES?'
YOU COULDNT RUN FOR A BUS COULD YOU
