Great Britain star Paula Radcliffe is not fit to run in the Olympic marathon next Sunday, according to reports.
The Mail On Sunday understands that Radcliffe is losing her battle for fitness after a degenerative foot injury flared up three weeks ago.
A UK athletics source close to Radcliffe's camp is quoted as saying: "Paula is not fit to run at the moment. The time to make a decision has arrived and there is only one decision to make."
The 38-year-old world record holder has been plagued in recent years by osteoarthritis in her left foot, a condition which led her to fly to Munich three weeks ago to seek specialist medical help.
A spokesman for UK Athletics told Sky Sports News: "No decision has been taken and we are continuing to monitor and assess the situation. The reports are premature."
Radcliffe's best finish at the Olympics was fourth place in the 10,000m at Sydney in 2000.
Liam Power
