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Athletics

Athletics chief optimistic about Radcliffe marathon chances

03/08/2008

British Athletics performance director Dave Collins is optimistic about Paula Radcliffe's prospects of competing in the marathon at the Beijing Olympics.

Radcliffe is due to join the rest of the Great Britain team at their preparation headquarters in Macau tomorrow as she steps up her rehabilitations from a stress fracture to the femur.

When Radcliffe sustained the injury many experts said she would not be able to recover in time for the Games but the world record holder is on course to prove them wrong.

Collins said Radcliffe's arrival in Macau from her base in the Pyrenees was a good sign.

"It's conformation for me that she's making good progress," said Collins.

"We'll have a look. We've given her the space and the time that I think her performance level deserves, we'll see her get here and again, we'll be watching progress and see what happens. That's what we've been doing all the way through."

Radcliffe suffered in the heat of Athens when trying to secure an Olympic gold medal in the marathon four years ago.

Having taken time out from the sport to start a family the 34-year-old looked to be back on track to achieve her dream when she won the New York marathon last year.

However, the injury she picked up in May jeopardised those hopes.

Collins says that as time goes on he becomes increasingly positive that Radcliffe can achieve what seemed impossible two months ago.

He said: "I am more optimistic as time goes on. My crystal ball is, unfortunately, not working very well so I'll wait and see where we are but as things positively progress, that's good news."

Radcliffe is yet to win a major medal at the Olympics having finished fifth in the 5,000m in 1996 and fourth in the 10,000m in 2000.