Hopes rise that Paula will go for elusive gold

Paula Radcliffe was due to join her Team GB colleagues in Macau today as optimism continued to increase that she will be fit to start the Olympic marathon a week on Sunday.

But athletics officials will be closely monitoring the 34-year-old's fitness at the team's preparation camp, determined Radcliffe doesn't risk her long-term health by rushing back too soon after injury and taking the risk of giving everything in the gruelling heat and smog here.

The arrival of Radcliffe was the clearest indication yet that the world marathon record holder believes she has recovered enough from the stress fracture in her left thigh to race for the one big prize which has eluded her.

Dave Collins, UK Athletics performance director, said: "It's confirmation for me that she's making good progress.