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Pavey backing Radcliffe for doubling-up

Jo Pavey has no doubts in her mind that Paula Radcliffe would not be doubling-up at the World Championships unless she was convinced two gold medals are a possibility. Radcliffe's announcement last week that she would contest the 10000 metres on the Championships opening day next Saturday then the marathon eight days later, caused many raised eyebrows. No one doubts Radcliffe head-and-shoulders above her global rivals and originally chosen for the road running endurance distance after winning the Flora London Marathon in April, should win that title. But the world marathon record-holder's  decision to tackle the track race after the disappointment of

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<place>Athens</place></city>where she failed to finish in either Olympic competition, has raised concern about the wisdom of the decision.



Pavey herself a highly experienced British international who finishe fifth in the Games 5000m final last August and the distance she will contest in Helsinki, has no doubts in her mind, Radcliffe knows what she is doing. "Paula's obviously such a fantastic athlete and so experienced she'll know what's best for her," said Pavey who winding up her own preparations for the Championships, finished third over 3000m in Friday's Oslo Golden League meeting. Pavey who posted a seasons best time of eight minutes 33.79seconds added: "Doing the 10 likes she's planning, means she'll know from her training the shape she needs to be in to win.Don't worry about her. She is so experienced she'll be well prepared. We'll wait and see - but I think it will be exciting to see her doing both races."

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