Radcliffe looks to banish Olympic bitterness

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Paula Radcliffe must get over her Olympic bitterness and focus on the next edition in London in 2012, she said on Monday.

"I don't think I can keep going back over it, the bitterness that I don't need," the veteran Briton told reporters after winning the New York City marathon for the third time on Sunday. "It's a situation I can't change.

"I'm trying to stay positive and looking forward to 2012. I would like to be in London, I feel like I've got it (the Olympics) taken away from me twice now because of injuries."

Radcliffe may be 34 but she said ahead of the New York race that a gold medal in four years' time was still within reach.

"I do believe I have the chance to have another shot in 2012," she said. "I'll be 38 then. Constantina (Tomescu-Dita, the Olympic champion from Romania) was 38 this year so I know it's possible.

"I know the odds probably get less each time but my whole philosophy is keep persevering. For me personally it's certainly a huge motivation.

"I think the atmosphere and the support for the Olympics in your home country is an opportunity I would never want to miss."

BEIJING AGONY