Team GB athletics leader Max Jones jumped to Paula Radcliffe's defence
on the morning after her latest crushing disappointment by insisting the
10,000metres was "a run she had to do".
Just as in Sunday's marathon, exhausted Radcliffe dropped out of Friday night's
race well before the finish, her dreams of an Olympic gold shattered.
But Jones insists that the 30-year-old will come out of the experience "a
stronger athlete".
Radcliffe had taken physiological advice before confirming her entry to the
track race, which made it more of a surprise when the flagging Brit pulled off
the track after 6,600m.
Former British Olympic medallists Lord Coe and Brendan Foster had both
suggested that Radcliffe would be making an error of judgement by entering the
race.
But Jones disagreed, saying: "It was a run she had to do, although the odds
were stacked against her.
"Paula had physiological tests from both the British Olympic Association and
UK Athletics doctors before making her decision."
Jones and the doctors were well aware of Radcliffe's determination to compete,
knowing that it would have haunted her for years had she not lined up on the
start-line.
"I have massive respect for her and I know she will be back a stronger
athlete next year," said Jones.
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