Paula Radcliffe has pulled out....:(

A fantastic and impressive athlete who has just got more and more irritating with every year that has passed.

Out of curiosity, how many races has Paula done since Athens 2004? 

http://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=1341

Invisible man makes a good point, but athletics is ultimately about beating all your rivals when the pressure is at its greatest and that's why an Olympic gold medal will always top everything else for me.

Kelly Holmes is a great example - nowhere near the top of the 800 or 1500 all-time list, but 2 gold medals in Athens showed an incredible competitive spirit and racing nous.

Gutted - I was travelling to London this weekend (400 mile round trip) mostly to see Paula run. Wasn't expecting a medal or anything but was looking forward to seeing one of my inspirations running.

Still got the triathlon to look forward to on Saturday though and will cheer on the other British women and hopefully witness an exciting marathon on Sunday anyway.

 Gratest woman distance runner of her generation and to me the greatest distance runner of all time so far be it a lady or a man. Gutted for her but hope she comes back for a few more races after this.

Quit while you ahead rather than fall from grace on a World stage has to be the best decision she has made. I'm sure her World record of 9 years will still last a few more years.

She hasn't pulled out. She was withdrawn.

Notts Runner wrote (see)

She hasn't pulled out. She was withdrawn.

you were that kid at school who pointed out mistakes on the board weren't you?

Yes I was actually, and you were that thick kid at school who was too stupid to spot the mistakes on the board. 

feel so sorry for Paula

In a way its good she's out, she wasn't going to challenge for a medal, she was not fit enough, and although she's been a fantastic ambassador, it's right to allow the place to someone up and coming. It's slightly embarrassing to watch a world beater turn into an also ran