Radcliffe 'is still woman to beat'

Paula Radcliffe is still the woman to beat in Beijing despite her injury worries, USA marathon runner Deena Kastor has said.

Radcliffe is defying medical advice to line up in the Olympics in two weeks time despite being diagnosed with a stress fracture to her left leg in May.

Kastor, who won the bronze medal in Athens four years ago, believes Radcliffe will start the race as favourite to win the Olympic gold at the fourth attempt.

"I will try to put my heart and soul into trying to beat her when I'm on the starting line, but she is the pre-race favourite because she is the world-record holder by a substantial margin coming into this race," said Kastor.

"You keep an eye on all competition and you also know that the Chinese women are going to put on a great show because of the pride they're going to have representing the home country, as well as the three returning medallists from Athens.

"But she's the biggest competitor out there as far as I'm concerned."

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