Capital punishment will fire Paula's Beijing bid

This is the second time injury has forced Radcliffe out of the race and she admitted: "It's a blow because it is really important to me to compete in London. At this time of the year it almost feels like something is wrong if I'm not running here. I am kind of angry about it. But that anger can be a good thing going into the Olympics because the frustration I feel now will push me on in Beijing."

Gold in China would be a crowning moment for Radcliffe.

She may hold 10 world records, including that in the marathon, and she may have won titles in the world athletics and cross-country championships. However, her tearful roadside retirement in Athens four summers ago remains the defining image of her career so far and left cynics harbouring doubts about her true greatness.

Favourite to win the 2004 Olympic marathon, Radcliffe came to Greece suffering an inflamed leg, for which the treatment had dire consequences for her energy and her stomach.

Those who had piled pressure on her to perform were quick to criticise when she fell so spectacularly short of expectations. But Radcliffe insists the experience will make her even harder to beat in Beijing.

She said: "I'd always been fortunate in that I'd come into big races having a lot of pressure on me but knowing I was in great shape so what did I care.

"If anything, the pressure had always inspired me to a better performance rather than hindering me. But when you're desperately trying to hold things together with bits of sticky tape, as I was in Athens, then the whole pressure situation can turn it into a disaster. In the long run, though, it has made me stronger. It is almost like I know that is as bad as things can get.

"Now, here I am four years later, still looking forward to the Olympics.

"What happened in Athens hasn't destroyed my faith or my belief.

"But it has made me a little more street-wise, a little bit tougher about coping with the negatives."

For example, as someone diagnosed as an exercise-induced asthmatic, having to deal with the pollution that has shrouded the Beijing Games in so much controversy.

Radcliffe wants little part of the debate about the testing conditions the marathon runners are likely to face in the Chinese capital come August. "They will affect me but they will slow everybody the same," she said.

"Okay, it may affect some more than others, but is that because physiologically they're not suited to running in the heat and pollution or is it because they've wasted too much energy worrying and stressing about it?

"Mentally I'm strong and that can be such a weapon when you're going into a race in difficult circumstances."

Radcliffe's absence on Sunday means Ethiopia's Gete Wami is now the favourite in the women's event.

However, last year's World Marathon Majors winner is disappointed she will not be facing her great rival.

"I hoped that she would be here competing as we always have exciting races," said Wami, who lost a thrilling battle with Radcliffe at November's New York Marathon.

Wami's major threat will now come from compatriot Berhane Adere, who won the Chicago race last year.

Martin Lel, aiming for a third men's title in four years, leads an impressive Kenyan challenge which also features 2006 winner Felix Limo, reigning world champion Luke Kibet, and Sammy Wanjiru, who made the second-quick-est-ever marathon debut last November with a time of 2hrs 6mins 39secs.