LONDON - Marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe is on crutches because of a hip injury that is disrupting her training for the Beijing Olympics.
The pulled muscle in her left hip was revealed after two MRI scans. The 34-year-old British runner is scheduled for another MRI this week and then hopes to then train full time.
"The Olympics is extremely important to me," Radcliffe said. "Little setbacks like this only strengthen my resolve to be there in my best shape."
The women's marathon is Aug. 17. Radcliffe was one of the favourites at the Athens Games but failed to finish. Beijing will be her fourth Olympics, with Atlanta and Sydney the others.
Radcliffe injured her toe September 2007 when she finished second in a half marathon. It was her first race in 20 months after having her first child.
She went on to win the New York City Marathon in November, but the toe injury flared again. That forced her to miss the London Marathon, where in 2003 she set her world record of two hours, 15 minutes, 25 seconds.
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Article online since May 17th 2008, 0:00
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