Radcliffe's Olympic confidence

6:24am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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Paula Radcliffe is confident her preparations for this summer's Olympic Games are on schedule.

despite missing last month's Flora London Marathon with a foot injury.

Radcliffe's ambition to chase a fourth London title was put on hold after she picked up an injury to the big toe on her right foot during an altitude training spell in Albuquerque, New Mexico in February.

Although not considered serious, the problem was aggravated by her heavy training programme in the United States and even a visit to Munich to see renowned German specialist in sports injuries Dr Hans Mueller-Wolfhart failed to produce an instant solution.

That saw the 34-year-old world marathon record holder, after missing two weeks training, reluctantly withdraw from London and train with caution as she prepared for the Olympic marathon.

Ever since the disappointment of dropping out at the 2004 Olympics in Athens Radcliffe has stressed, even after winning the following year's world championships title, that Beijing remains her top priority.

Radcliffe, who was speaking at the launch of the Nike+Human Race, which will start at Wembley stadium on August 31 and will see up to one million runners across the globe competing in a 10k race, said: "Things are going well and it's just building towards Beijing now.

"I think that now has the stronger focus because I missed out in London, so I am going to go there and really make it count.

"For me honestly, if I only do one race this year and it's there, that's enough. I do plan to do other races but they are not written down yet.

"If I see a break in my training I will come out if I want to race.''