Paula Radcliffe the Bedford based runner would only describe her failure as she left the stadium with a one word answer “devastated”.
As were the hoards of armchair fans that had tuned in especially to see our only realistic athletic gold medal chance succumb to the heat of the Greek Capital.
 | | Paula takes on water |
Despite the race being scheduled to start at 6pm local time, temperatures on the hilly streets of Athens were still a blazing 35 degrees with high humidity.
Paula saw her dreams of Olympic gold shattered on the 23 mile mark. The British world record holder and pre-race favourite had slipped into fourth place and was clearly struggling to cope.
The image of Paula alone on the pavement, head in her hands with tears streaming down her face flashed around world as the reality of her failure became apparent. After breaking down at the side of the road, Radcliffe was accompanied by her husband and coach Gary Lough and her parents for the medical at the Panathinaiko Stadium, scene of the marathon finish.
It is believed that she was suffering from exhaustion with no signs of serious injury. However, the decision was taken to monitor her progress over night in the Olympic Village Hospital. | "I am gutted for Paula - I know how hard she has trained, how much dedication and sacrifice she has made. She wanted this one so badly." | | Liz Yelling - friend and team mate |
Liz Yelling, her team-mate and former training partner, finished 25th and said she had been surprised by the ferocity of the marathon course.
"It was awful," she said.
"I went over the profile and there was supposed to be some flat spots - I didn't see any.
"I am gutted for Paula - I know how hard she has trained, how much dedication and sacrifice she has made. She wanted this one so badly."
 | | Paula in tears |
Starting in the village that gave the event its name, Paula maintained pace with the leading pack of runners for the first 15 miles.
But she never seemed comfortable in the heat and when the Japan’s Mizuki Noguchi, eventual winner, passed her at the 16 mile stage Paula was unable to respond.
A series of steep slopes brought further agony for Paula as she slipped into fourth place and out of medal contention. After 23 mile Paula pulled up and was unable to restart, obviously distressed she layed slumped on the kerb realising her dream of gold were gone.
The large contingents of British fans in the stadium were left stunned as pictures of Paula’s failure were beamed onto the big screens. But the chances of a gold medal arriving back in Bedford are not yet over. No decision has been taken yet as to whether Paula will run in the 10,000 metres on Friday.
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