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World marathon record-holder
Paula Radcliffe. [Agencies / File
Photo] |
Marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe,
undaunted
by her disastrous
showing at the Athens Olympics, hopes to run in Beijing in four
years and possibly even at the 2012 Games.
Briton Radcliffe, 30, pulled out of the marathon and 10,000 metres in
Athens in August and was subjected to a storm of criticism in the media.
"It was never a case of if I get what I want in Athens I will back
off," Radcliffe was quoted as saying in the UK's Daily Mail newspaper.
"I always wanted another Games. I hope to make 2012 too, maybe not at
the same level but I hope to make the team," added Radcliffe, who is an
ambassador for London's bid to host those Olympics.
In Athens, Radcliffe broke down in tears six kilometres from the end of
a marathon she was favourite to win before failing to finish the 10,000
metres five days later.
As Radcliffe had just slipped to fourth in the marathon when she
slumped out, the suggestion was made in the media that she had stopped
after realising she would not win a medal.
She later said she had been struggling with a stomach injury and
described her experiences in Greece as the most traumatic of her life.
"Underneath it all, it has made me more determined to come back and
show what I can do," she told the paper.
"I've had a lot of criticism for not slowing down and continuing but I
don't think I could have carried on whatever the pace.
"I like to think
the critics won't change me but probably you grow a more protective
shell around yourself."
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-10-14 16:17