Paula Radcliffe has said she will not race in the marathon at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin after testing her fitness in her first race for 10 months last weekend.
The 35 year-old, who had not raced since the New York Marathon nine months ago after undergoing surgery to remove a bunion in March, triumphed in the New York City half-marathon at the weekend as she tested herself for Germany.
The Briton was delighted with her display but the believes she is still about three weeks away from the condition required to win the gold medal.
The world record holder's recovery had been going well, but the New York race confirmed fears she is not 100 per cent fit
"I am devastated that I wasn't able to be ready in time to represent Britain here in Berlin, especially having got so close in such a short time frame," Radcliffe said.
"However, after having the surgery to successfully put the years of injury behind me it is very important to me that I come back to racing often and winning at 100 per cent and continue strongly and successfully through to London 2012.
"It has been great to be here and to spend time with the team, which has performed so well so far, and I look forward to being part of it again in the near future.
"Running in New York was a necessary part of the process to ascertain my race fitness and, after speaking with my coaching and medical team, I knew I was sadly just not quite ready."
UKA head coach Charles van Commenee said: "To lose an athlete of Paula's calibre is disappointing to say the least.
"She won the World Championships in 2005 and a fit Paula would clearly be in contention to regain that title but she has taken that difficult decision and we have to respect that."
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