Paula ready to run again

Paula Radcliffe was today tipped to pull off her Olympic mission impossible by the man who runs British athletics.

As Radcliffe's name was officially entered for tomorrow's 10,000m final here, David Moorcroft, chief executive of UK Athletics, declared: "Conventional wisdom says it is not possible but Paula has a habit of making the impossible possible."

Only five days ago, Radcliffe pulled out after 22 miles of a gruelling marathon ordeal, exhausted and in tears, and it seemed her Olympic dream was over.

Yet she has recovered sufficiently to target tomorrow's 25-lap final and she has been officially named as a starter in tomorrow's race - although she could pull out at any time before the race.

Yet with the likelihood growing that Radcliffe will run, Moorcroft said: "Having been savaged by that course over 22 miles it is difficult to comprehend how anyone can come out and run the 10,000m.

"If her heart says it is right then it is probably the right thing to do."