The European 10000 metres champion Paula Radcliffe has confirmed that she will not compete in the 5000 metres. Radcliffe entered the 5,000m although insisting it was an event that never figured significantly in her racing programme for this summer. Now the British team captain is hoping to return home tomorrow.
The 28-year-old, who set a European record to add to the Commonwealth 5000m mark she achieved when winning the Games gold medal in Manchester, says her priority now is the Chicago Marathon on October 13. "Since the beginning of the year I have been saying my two targets on the track were always the Commonwealth 5,000m and the 10,000m in Munich," said Radcliffe.
The decision by the English athlete not to participate in the 5,000m event will boost the hopes of Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan taking gold in Munich. The Cobh athlete and former 10,000m champion finished second behind Radcliffe on Tuesday night.
Filed by James Shortt
