Radcliffe Wants to Retain London Olympic Stadium for Athletics

Paula Radcliffe has urged the 2012 organisers to ensure the London Olympic stadium remains an athletics venue for the future. There has been talk of a football club taking over the stadium after the Games, but an athletics track could be a hindrance to any deal.

The marathon world record holder said: "Why do we need another football stadium? We definitely have to keep the Olympic stadium for athletics. We're going to have a really good Games and British athletes are going to perform out of their skin. That stadium will hold all the inspiration and memories.

"The opportunity to go back and compete there again will be a huge boost for the athletes and the chance for any kid to watch the Olympics and then run there will be amazing," she told the Times. "There are world championships, European Championships, Commonwealth Games and national championships that would all benefit from an athletics stadium. And look at the Stade de France. That proves you can have a great atmosphere with a running track. Are you telling me football fans can't shout loud enough to be heard over eight lanes?"

Athletics will have to cope with a cut in funding for London 2012 after failing by one to meet the target of five medals in Beijing. But Radcliffe believes the decision is fair and will not adversely affect Britain's chances on home soil.

"It's done on merit and if you look at it, athletics did not meet the targets it set," the 34-year-old said. "Unfortunately, that one medal made a difference to the funding, but will it make a difference to how we prepare for 2012? No."

Radcliffe is hoping it will be third time lucky in London after seeing her chances of Olympic gold in Athens and Beijing ruined by illness and injury. She ran in Beijing despite a lack of preparation, finishing 23rd, before going on to win the New York Marathon.

Radcliffe is targeting victories in the London Marathon and at the World Championships in 2009, and she is confident fitness will not be a problem. "Everything came from not being ready at the start of [last] year, but this time I am," she added. "I'm confident that's behind me."