PAULA RADCLIFFE, winner of two major championship gold medals in the last month, has interrupted her preparations for the Chicago Marathon and replied to drug allegations made against her two brilliant performances.

Sonia O'Sullivan raced into the record books again last night, claiming a European silver medal in the process, but could only watch from behind as Paula Radcliffe stole Ingrid Kristiansen’s 16-year-old European 10,000m title and came within a whisker of becoming only the second woman to beat the 30-minute barrier.

SONIA O’SULLLIVAN raced into the record books again last night, claiming a European silver medal in the process, but could only watch as Paula Radcliffe stole Ingrid Kristiansen’s 16-year-old European 10,000m title.

THE world of women's middle distance running may be buzzing in advance of the showdown between defending champion Sonia O'Sullivan and Paula Radcliffe in tonight's 10,000m final in Munich, but the newly crowned Commonwealth Games champion played it down yesterday.

Paula Radcliffe is not taking anything for granted even though her three top rivals will be missing when she defends her World Cross Country long course title in Dublin tomorrow.