Athletics: Radcliffe lets title lapse
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Paula Radcliffe, the reigning women's long course champion, is the most notable absentee from this weekend's IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
Radcliffe is currently completing her preparations for the London Marathon on 13 April. Victory in the long course today would have given her a third successive win, a feat last achieved by American Lynn Jennings 10 years ago.
The British selectors hope the women's short course side are in the hunt for medals, while Charlotte Dale could be in contention in the junior race.
The cross-country community has been critical of Britain's decision not to enter full teams in each race for the first time in the 30-year history of the event.
Radcliffe said after breaking the world 10-kilometre road race record in Puerto Rico last month that full teams should only be sent if the athletes were good enough. Only Louise Damen and Hayley Yelling are due to start the 8km contest here at Switzerland's National Equestrian Institute.
The opening day's action also sees Dale, winner of the European junior title in Croatia last December, take on a formidable field, while the men's long course world champion, Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, has recovered from a food-related illness and will defend his title tomorrow.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments