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London: World marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe said on Thursday she had a stress fracture of her left femur and that some specialists had told her it would be impossible for her to compete in the Beijing Olympics.
The 34-year-old, who made the announcement via a teleconference, said she was still "90 per cent" confident she could be fit but would only go if she felt competitive.
"It's not good news and not the news I wanted to hear, but I will give myself every chance," said Radcliffe, who has been on crutches with what was originally thought as a hip injury.
Radcliffe said it was only when she eventually had a bone scan after two MRI scans on her hip that it was discovered she had an "atypical femural compression" rather than a hip injury.
"The bottom line is it's not ideal and some specialists have said with the training I need to put in it would be impossible," she said. "I will give myself every chance but I won't run through pain and I won't go if I feel I can't be competitive."
If she is forced to withdraw, the 2005 world marathon champion said she would not rule out running at the London 2012 Olympics.
"It's going to go down to the wire and I will need a bit of luck. It has been a nightmare last three weeks, extremely emotional and extremely hard."
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