Radcliffe out of Commonwealth Games

Athletics:  World marathon champion Paula Radcliffe has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne with a foot injury…

Athletics:  World marathon champion Paula Radcliffe has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne with a foot injury.

Radcliffe, winner of the 5000metres gold medal in Manchester four years ago, was favourite to clinch the 10,000m title.

Since picking up the problem in January, the 32-year-old has not been able to prepare properly during her track sessions at her US training base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe has also withdrawn after failing to recover from illness.

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The multiple Olympic champion has been suffering from bronchitis and a viral infection and has been unable to train fully.

Thorpe said: "It has been a very trying time for me. As of yesterday, I realised I was going to be of little, if any, benefit to the team. I would have been so far off my best it was not worth it."