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Original poster

Paula Radcliffe is completely brilliant

78 replies

Threadwworm · 17/08/2008 05:42

To produce a baby when your body is the the state of weird perfection involved in marathon running; to come back from that and run successfully at the highest level; to start and finish the marathon in China despite having a fractured hip.

Fantastic determination.

OP posts:
Cammelia · 17/08/2008 18:55

I think she's a mentalist

CatIsSleepy · 17/08/2008 18:57

PR's ok but she shouldln't really have been running that race

now the GB cycling team, they really are brilliant
utterly awesome in fact

belgo · 17/08/2008 19:03

That young swimmer who won the two golds is amazing.

It's a shame about Paula Radcliffe, I suspect she'll be remembered for all the wrong things rather then for her achievements.

mylittlepudding · 17/08/2008 19:06

The media bias is really sad. I saw the Atlanta Olympics ('96?) in America and am convinced it is not just the BBC, it is as bad the world over.

NHS doctors are world class Maureen, IMNVHO

luckylady74 · 17/08/2008 19:06

sorry to go off topic, but expat I'm not shocked that it's being misreported - I wanted to watch it on the tv today, but they seem to have only filmed the southern half of the festival - can't carry cameras to the midlands.
personality wise I'd find it hard to comment on PR but I don't find her actions particularly odd for a top athlete. I love a bit of drama and tears - I cried in front of the tv when the women weightlifters were on.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 17/08/2008 19:38

ooo luckylady74 - ds2 is at VFest. Was it really wet last night [worried mother emoticon]?

Apols for hijack!

PoorOldEnid · 17/08/2008 19:58

yay expat

luckylady74 · 17/08/2008 20:01

I'm sorry to report that it was so wet that when I got back to the hotel (spoilt middle aged moi?) I had to wring out my knickers as well as my trousers and the mud splashes went up to my thighs.
So really bad but on the other hand the atmosphere was soo safe, well organised and relaxed - no hordes of beery lads like at other festivals I've been to and there was great camaraderie in the trench like conditions.People were sharing umbrellas and there were lots of places to keep warm! The sun was shining when I left wolverhampton this morning (i only had a day ticket)

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 17/08/2008 20:08

Thanks for that, he's a festival virgin. We've had a text response from him today, asking how it's going. It said 'sound'

lilymolly · 17/08/2008 20:29

I did not even realise that the lady who came 6th was british

Tclanger · 17/08/2008 20:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cascade · 17/08/2008 20:58

Its really sad that some people will criticise Paula and say she should not have competed. The olympics is every athletes dream to participate in. Look how hypocrical people are being, the british weight lifter who had a back injury before taking part, managed to compete she was in serious pain. She was applauded and praised for her strength and determination.
Puala radcliffe competes and people slate her. The rower who came fifth, alaister campbell (world champion) he was injured still competed every one saying how great he was considering he wasnt fully fit. Every athlete wants to be at the olympic games, they dont want to be sitting at home thinking what could have been if only i had competed.

SunshineSmith · 17/08/2008 21:02

Bored of Radclife, can we now talk about Nadal? Yum!

JonahTakalua · 17/08/2008 21:05

"Its really sad that some people will criticise Paula and say she should not have competed".

She was not fit to run, as was proved during the race.

She should have stopped - she may now have worsened her injury, and that may end her career.

Even the British commentators were saying that they wished she would stop, as she was risking her future as an athlete.

Rhonds · 17/08/2008 21:28

I think if she'd said she had a stress fracture in her leg and couldn't compete people would have been sympathetic and also wondered about the could have beens in a positive sense.(if they remebered at all)
Her running and coming 23rd and then moaning about it being because of a known injury won't win her many fans cos they just think,"why did you bother?" "why not give someone else a chance"?

cascade · 17/08/2008 21:33

Yes she may have worsened her injury, but she wanted to complete the marathon at the olympics. plus this will probably be her last olympics as she is 33 years old. She had to try and i applaud her for that. The easy option would have been to give up.

JonahTakalua · 17/08/2008 21:38

The woman that came first in the olympic marathon is 4 years older than Paula Radcliffe.

PR was interviewed after the race, and said that she intended to run in 2012.

She is a professional sportswoman.

Giving up would not have been easy - it would have made professional sense.

I don't criticise her for wanting to finish - it just seems reckless to risk the rest of her career for the sake of finishing one race.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 17/08/2008 21:45

What enid and expat said.

I'm a huge athletics fan, and have muchos respect for all who compete (and dont rely on drugs to enhance themselves....). She was silly to compete with such an injury.

slayerette · 17/08/2008 21:47

Have really enjoyed watching the Brits competing and so impressed with the amazing achievements. But really don't get the fawning over Paula Radcliffe; she came, she did quite well; she wasn't the best Brit running in the marathon - what's the big deal? And what's so brave/noble/heroic about running with an injury?

Agree with sunshine - today is Nadal-Day!

cascade · 17/08/2008 21:49

yes but in the back of every athletes mind, this could be my last olympics as it does only come round every 4 years. There are very few endurance athletes that can compete at 37/38 years of age, so statistically the odds are against her. I think when an athlete competes at the olympics the heart rules as it so important. i think personally that the thought of further injury goes out of their head, as it just means that much.

Highlander · 18/08/2008 12:06

As an ex-runner I used to be one of Paula's biggest fans.

BUT.........

She over-trained during pregnancy, was induced and bleated on about her 'marathon' labour and how awful it was. Erm, you're a bright lady and you must have known induction would lead to a cascade of intervention. No, your pelvis was not 'too small'.Lie on your back and your sacrum can't move. Considering her and her hubby's height and build that baby was tiny - placental insufficiency anyone?

She was in no way fit enough for Bejing. Her place could have been given to the reserve, who was fit and would have no doubt benefited/been inspired by the Olympics.

PuppyMonkey · 18/08/2008 12:08

If she discovered a cure for cancer, then I would say she could be described as "brilliant."

I'm not a sports fan and not impressed by sports people...

mayorquimby · 18/08/2008 12:32

she has a living to make and that is made largely on the back of press attention as she becomes more marketable to sponsors if she is perceived as popular and well liked.
so to that end she keeps the media onside and looks after number 1, which in fairness i can't blame her for.
pretty much everyone tries to maximise their earning potential in their chosen profession.why should athletes be different?

WorzselMummage · 19/08/2008 15:31

When i think of Paula Radcliff i just think of someone pissing in the street and crying a lot.

I find her quite annoying.

OrmIrian · 19/08/2008 15:54

On the subject of media attention, is anyone else a bit taken aback by the way the camera's are thrust right into the athletes faces before the races and at moments of high tension? Before the races the cameras stay there on their faces for ages - must be like being stuck behind a coach full of children, 'yes I've waved at you, smiled and all that, now will you just f* off!".

re Paula Radcille, I agree that she is a superbly determined woman but I think she was a tad self-indulgent perhaps.