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LONDON — Marathon world-record holder Paula Radcliffe is aiming for her first Olympic medal in five tries after making Britain's team for the 2012 London Games.
The host nation announced the roster Tuesday, which includes fellow marathoners Mara Yamauchi and Scott Overall.
Radcliffe will be 38 this summer, but said she will be a contender for gold if she stays fit and injury-free. After all, she's never lost over the distance in London.
"I don't think I'm going in with as strong a chance as 2004 or 2008," Radcliffe said. "It's going to be very hard, but I do think it's possible."
After finishing out of the medal positions in the 5,000 in 1996 and the 10,000 in 2000, Radcliffe has been thwarted in her efforts to round out a stellar career with an Olympic title.
In 2004 in Athens, she withdrew three miles from the finish because of a stomach problem. She was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her left femur three months before the 2008 Beijing Games and limped to the line in 23rd place.
A marathon world champion in 2005, three-time winner of the London Marathon and three-time champion of the New York City Marathon, Radcliffe is training to banish those Olympic memories.
"I have become — not totally philosophical and laid-back about it — but a bit more relaxed about it," Radcliffe said. "I've seen ups and downs and I've had a long career. I'm able to step back and be thankful for the success I've had.
"But part of me still hopes there is a little luck owed to me in terms of staying healthy."
Radcliffe completed her first marathon in two years in Berlin in September. After a series of injuries and a 19-month break in which she had her second child, Radcliffe ran 2 hours, 23 minutes, 46 seconds to make the British qualifying standard.
It was her fastest time in four years, but 8:21 slower than the world record she set in 2003 in New York.
Radcliffe said she won't run again over 26.2 miles until the London 2012 race but may try for a 10,000 run in Monaco this weekend.
"I wouldn't say I'm flying and ready to go out and set records, but I'm improving and probably a bit ahead of where we thought I'd be," Radcliffe said.
After a few years of leg, foot and hip injuries, Radcliffe is happy to be on the team.
"To represent your country at a home Olympics is something special and I'm over the moon to be selected for Team GB," Radcliffe said. "I was pleased to get the qualifying time in Berlin earlier this year and my sole focus is getting in the right shape for London.
"I'm just fully concentrating on being fully prepared for next year."
