The 34-year-old world record holder is having another MRI scan at the end of this week which she hopes will give her the all-clear to recommence full-time training after her latest setback.

 

The hip problem came to light when Radcliffe returned to a heavy schedule as part of her preparations for a fourth Olympics, after a toe injury prevented her running in the Flora London Marathon last month.

 

 

 

Radcliffe believes it is only a minor problem and is determined to complete "unfinished business" in Beijing after dropping out of the 2004 Olympic marathon with a leg injury and stomach upset.

 

Radcliffe will be joined in the women's squad by fellow Bedford athlete and former training partner Liz Yelling, plus Japan-based Mara Yamauchi who has developed into a world-class performer in the last two years.

 

Yamauchi said: “I am delighted to be selected for Team GB to run the marathon in Beijing.

 

"This will be my first Olympics and I am really looking forward to the challenge.

 

"My training has been going well so I hope I can perform at my very best and deliver something special on race day.

 

"Having run the marathon test event in April and seen the course, I feel confident that my preparations are on track.

 

"I am lucky to receive a lot of support from many people and organisations, and without this support I wouldn’t be going to Beijing.

 

"Now I can look forward to racing and producing a result that they and I can be proud of. It’s exciting to be part of such a strong women’s marathon team, which shows we are making big strides in marathon running in the UK.”

 

Only Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Dan Robinson has been named in the men's team which will be a huge disappointment for Tomas Abyu.

 

Ethiopian-born Abyu thought he had achieved the qualifying time in last autumn's Dublin marathon, only to learn it was inadmissible as it had not been measured by a qualified official in accordance with International Association of Athletics Federations rules.

 

Robinson said: “It feels great to be selected for my second Olympic Games, the culmination of four years hard work and the fulfilment of my ambitions. 

 

"Athens was my first major championship and was a great thrill, but since then I have run in all the major championships and have gained some great experience which will stand me in good stead for Beijing.

 

"The World Championships in Osaka last year were run in very hot and humid conditions, similar to what I think we'll find in Beijing, things went well there so I'll follow a similar build up and head out to Macau around three weeks before the race to get fully acclimatised.”

 

 Johanna Jackson, who broke the UK record earlier this year in Australia, has been named for the 20 kilometres walk.

 

UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins failed to specifically mention Radcliffe's inclusion in the side despite closely monitoring her situation after the latest injury setback.

 

"It gives me great pleasure to name the first five athletes who will represent their country in Beijing," said Collins, who last week made a pre-Games trip to the holding camp in Macau and then Beijing.

 

"The strength and depth of women's endurance events in the UK is reflected in our strong team, and to see Johanna start the season by setting a new UK record at the Australian 20km Championships shows significant progress over a short space of time.

 

"Dan, I'm sure, will be looking to build on his excellent performance at the World Championships in similar conditions in Osaka last year.

 

"I wish all five athletes the very best for a successful Olympics."