"When you sign up for a race you usually know who is running. You decide your tactics depending on who's running and adapt your training for those tactics.
"To change training and tactics two weeks before the race is not possible.
"If you say the truth, people can hate you but I don't care. If Paula was preparing to break a world record in England and I turned up late, she would be shocked too."
The organisers, who have reportedly paid Radcliffe $500,000 (£270,000) to take part, were unrepentant. "The entry list is never officially closed," said spokesman Richard Finn.
"We talked to her competitors shortly after the decision was made and on the whole they welcomed her appearance. We couldn't be more delighted she's here."
