Paula Radcliffe, Great Britain’s best known long-distance runner, will compete in the marathon for Great Britain this Sunday in an attempt for her first Olympic medal. Radcliffe shocked the world in Athens in 2004 when, after starting as the favorite for the gold medal, she failed to finish the race.
She holds the world record in the women’s marathon at 2:15:25 and won the London Marathon in 2002, 2003, and 2005. Also a champion in the Chicago and New York City marathons and the World Championships, Radcliffe has been recovering from a stress fracture in her leg as she trains for the Beijing marathon.
While Radcliffe has lived with asthma since childhood, she started running when she was seven years-old, with the encouragement of her marathon runner father.
Fun Fact
As a symbol of her strong anti-doping stance and support for blood testing for illegal substances, Radcliffe competes while wearing a red ribbon.
More
NBC Olympics Profile of Paula Radcliffe
Interview with Radcliffe on Anti-Doping Work
**Part of a special, weeklong feature on asthmatic Olympians and the incredible athletic feats they accomplish despite their breathing problems.**
Wow… I can’t imagine running a marathon!
I hope the air clears for her!
This is an oiutstanding website! I’ve been reading your input since mid-july when I found the URL on my computer. Somebody had accessed it! Although nobody in my immediaqte family has asthma, my grand daughter does. I have also talked to my sister who is caregiver for her grand daughter with asthma, and with a friend and former colleague who finds himself in a similar position.
All have said they’ll be reading! Hey Sis and Hey Starr, are you guys out there?
Asthmagramps
Can’t imagine running one, either—and I don’t have asthma.
Hey, AsthmaGramps–
I think that granddaughter of yours rocks. Thanks for reading and passing the message along.
i have asthma and i love to run but its really hard for me so way to go paula ur awesome
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