Radcliffe ready to take marathon risk

PAULA RADCLIFFE insists she will still compete in the women’s marathon at the Olympic Games even if there is a chance she could break down with injury.

Four years ago in Athens Radcliffe began her bid for the one title that has eluded her throughout a glittering distance-running career carrying a leg injury and was subsequently forced to retire from the race with a stomach complaint caused by anti-inflammatories she was taking.

Her decision to quit four years ago was praised and vilified in equal measure, and now she is approaching the 2008 edition under an injury cloud after an MRI scan in May revealed a stress fracture in her left thigh.