Posted: June 14, 2005

Athletics: Radcliffe To Double At European Cup

From David Monti

© 2005 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

Britain's Paula Radcliffe has decided to double in both the 3000m and 5000m at this weekend's European Cup First League meeting after teammate Jo Pavey was forced to withdraw from the team with a foot injury.

"It took me less than an hour to decide this morning that I could also compete in the 3000m," Radcliffe said in a press release earlier today. "The most important thing is the women need to be back up in the Super League with the men, we need to get out there and do our best. My aim is to gain the maximum points I possibly can for the team."

The British women were relegated from the more prestigious Super League to the First League after their team finished eighth last year in the Super League meeting in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The British men remain in the Super League.

This weekend's First League competition will be held in Leiria, Portugal. The 3000m takes place on Saturday and the 5000m on Sunday. Radcliffe ran a national record 14:29.11 at last year's Super League meeting.