World record marathon runner Paula Radcliffe's participation in the Olympics hangs in the balance after admitting her injury situation is "not looking good".
A foot problem has flared up again, casting a major doubt over whether she will compete in the marathon at London 2012 - with newspaper reports in the UK today suggesting she had admitted defeat in her plans to participate.
Radcliffe, 38, insists a decision to pull out had not been made, but conceded it was touch and go.
She tweeted this morning: "Hurt by dailymail & whoever thinks know my situation, before even do final test run. Not looking good but my heartbreaking news to break!"
UK Athletics said the world record holder, who has never won an Olympic medal, remained part of the Great Britain team.
A UKA spokesperson said: "Paula is still in the team. No decision has been taken and we are continuing to monitor and assess the situation."
Earlier this week her last chance of challenging for an Olympic medal was rated as only 50/50 by UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee.
Radcliffe won gold at the 2005 world championships, but failed to finish both the marathon and 10,000m in Athens in 2004 after being hampered by illness and injury. She did finish the marathon in Beijing in 2008, but another leg injury saw her finish down in 23rd.
