Athletics News: Marathon world-record holder Paula Radcliffe, undaunted by her disastrous showing at the Athens Olympics, hopes to run in Beijing in four years and possibly even at the 2012 Games.

The 30-year-old pulled out of the marathon and 10,000 metres in Athens last August and was subjected to a storm of criticism in the media in her native Britain.

"It was never a case of if I get what I want in Athens I will back off," Radcliffe said, who is an ambassador for London's bid to host the Olympics Games in 2012.

"I always wanted another Games. I hope to make 2012 too, maybe not at the same level but I hope to make the team."

The former world cross country champion has dominated women's marathon running in recent times and holds three of the four best times. Her 2:15:25 last year in London is the world record by nearly two minutes.

In Athens, Radcliffe broke down in tears six kilometres from the end of a marathon she was clear favourite to win before failing to finish the 10,000 metres five days later.

As Radcliffe had just slipped to fourth in the marathon when she slumped out the suggestion was made in the British media that she had stopped after realising she would not win a medal.

The athlete also responded to the critics who called her a quitter for not at least finishing either of her races at the summer Games. She later said she had been struggling with a stomach injury and described her experiences in Greece as the most traumatic of her life.

"Underneath it all, it has made me more determined to come back and show what I can do," she said. "I've had a lot of criticism for not slowing down and continuing but I don't think I could have carried on whatever the pace.

"I am used to hurting. Then you just back off and it goes away. But this time it was different. A car that has a flat tyre you can still drive but not one that has no petrol.

"I like to think the critics won't change me but probably you grow a more protective shell around yourself."