The 38-year-old world record holder had been suffering with the problem for nearly a month and formally pulled out after failing a fitness test. 

It robbed Radcliffe of the opportunity of competing in a fifth Olympics.

"From the day when it was announced [in 2005] that London had won the bid, taking part and performing well in the London Olympic Games has been a major goal in my life," she said.

"The goal of a fifth Olympics in my home country, what better?

"The chance to make amends to myself for bitter disappointments at the previous two Olympics.

"Through a lot of tough times it has kept me fighting, motivated and focused.

"That is why it hurts so much to finally admit to myself  that it isn't going to happen."

Paula Radcliffe wins the 2003 London Marathon in 2 hours 15min 25sec, still the fastest time in history

For all of Radcliffe's brilliant achievements, including running four of the five fastest marathon times in history, the Olympics will always represent massive missed opportunities. 

From just missing out on a place in Barcelona by 0.07sec as a teenager in 1992, to finishing fifth over 5,000 metres at Atlanta in 1996 and fourth over 10,000m at Sydney in 2000, before experiencing bitter disappointment in the marathon at Athens 2004, when she failed to failed to finish, and Beijing 2008, where she hobbled over the line in 23rd, when illness and injury respectively badly damaged her chances, it has been a tale of what might have been.

"My sport is a beautiful sport, it gives so much fun and enjoyment, I believe helps me to be a better person and I have been very fortunate to experience some great success and have so many beautiful and happy memories," said Radcliffe, who did win the world title in 2005.

"However, the downside is that it can break your heart and spirit many times over when your body is simply unable to match what your heart and brain want it to do.

"Sadly mine is not a career or a hobby where mind over matter can work when your body is hurt, nor where giving less than your best each day can ever work.

"Yes I made more commitment than ever in preparation this year, two months away from the three most important people in my life.

"However every single athlete out there makes the same commitments, puts their all into their preparation, and sadly I am not the only one to suffer heartbreak in trying to go after our goals.

"The most important thing is, as I always believe, to know that you did all you could in going after those dreams.

"It is hard to know that had that had the Olympics been six weeks earlier I could have gone out there and run confidently knowing that I was in the best shape I had been in for a while, but I am by no means the first to experience something like this.

"No one tells us in advance where the limits of our own bodies lie, and pushing these limits is the only way we can ever achieve our highest goals and dreams.

Dropping out of the Olympic marathon at Athens in 2004 because of injury and illness was the biggest disappointment of Paula Radcliffe's career

"However hard today is, finally closing the door on that dream, at least I can know that I truly have tried absolutely everything.

"Not one day was wasted in getting treatment, scans or interventions that might help. I cross trained as hard as I could whenever I was unable to run  to give myself every chance should the pain settle.

"Now however, is the time to accept that it is just not going to settle in time.

"As desperate as I was to be part of the amazing experience of the London Olympics, I don't want to be there below my best.

"If I can't be there and give it my best, then I would rather someone else who can do that is able to be there.

"I have been through the mill emotionally and physically the past three weeks, cried more tears than ever, vented more frustration and at the same time calmly tried every direction and avenue available to heal myself."

The foot injury is the same one which threatened her career as long ago as 1994 when she was told she would never run again. 

"I refused to believe it then and I don't believe now that it can't recover and be carefully managed to allow me to still do what I love to do," she said.

"Unfortunately though thatisn't going to happen in one week."

Andy Hunt, the Team GB Chef de Mission, paid tribute to Radcliffe after her withdrawal.

"Throughout her career, Paula has epitomised the talent, courage and determination that it takes to become a world-class performer in any sport," he said.

"We know how determined Paula was to compete here, but it wasn't meant to be and we are disappointed for her."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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