Radcliffe 'heartbroken' for Mageean after Olympic withdrawal

Former marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe says she is "heartbroken" for Ciara Mageean after the European Champion was forced to withdraw from the Olympic Games.

Team Ireland athlete Mageean was set to compete in the heats of the 1500 metres on Tuesday morning but withdrew on the eve of her opening race.

It is the latest Olympic heartbreak for the 32-year-old, who narrowly missed out on the 1500m final in 2016 and a calf injury a week before her race saw her exit the Tokyo Games at the heats stage.

Radcliffe, who was hampered by injury at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, said it would have been a "tough, tough decision" to pull out.

"I know the form she was in and what she wanted to do at these Games," Radcliffe told BBC Sport.

"I've seen some of the results this year and she has been struggling with that injury. Making the decision to pull out is a tough one for an athlete to do - particularly at the Olympic Games.

"Having a four year wait for the next one, it doesn't take away from the talented athlete that she is."

Radcliffe, who held the world record for the women's marathon for 16 years, was one of Great Britain's top athletes who never enjoyed the best of fortune at Olympic Games.

After being forced to pull out of the 2004 Olympic marathon after 22 miles after an injury pre-Games, Radcliffe had more injury problems leading up to the Beijing Games and was forced to miss her home Olympics in London after a foot injury.

Mageean has had similar poor luck with injuries ahead of the Olympics, and Radcliffe believes that she should channel her frustrations into her recovery.

After a calf injury ultimately stopped her from qualifying from her heat in Tokyo, Mageean's Achilles issue comes after she won European Championship gold at the start of June.

"It is tough. Every athlete has their own way of dealing with that trauma. I like to deal with it and get it out there.

"You cry, there's a lot of frustration. When she is healthy she can go out and start to really smash it in training and put that frustration out there.

"Then you come back, at the next opportunity to get back into racing and show what kind of a class quality athlete she is.

"She knows the type of athlete that she is and she knows what she can produce when she is right.

"She has to go away now. Get all of that emotion out and come back strong for next year."

After her heartbreak at the 2004 Olympics, Radcliffe bounced back to win World Championship gold the following year.

The 50-year-old said Mageean should target the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo to showcase her abilities on the world stage.

"We're lucky that those championships do come around," Radcliffe added.

"She knows that. It gives her a chance to get fully healthy and come back to show what she can do at the World Championships.

"It's always tough for an athlete who is in good shape and in the prime of their career.

"Yes, it is the Olympic Games but in essence those very same athletes will be racing at World Championship level.

"So focus on that, focus on doing the very best that you can and be fit and healthy by not taking risks out here at the Olympics."

Sophie O'Sullivan, daughter of former Olympic medallist Sonia, said she was sending Mageean "some love" after her withdrawal.

O'Sullivan narrowly missed out on an automatic place for the semi-finals after finishing seventh in her heat on her Olympic debut.

Mageean was set to join O'Sullivan and Sarah Healy, who also finished seventh in the second heat and will fall into the repechage race in a bid to make the semi-finals.

"I was really sad about Ciara," said O'Sullivan, 22.

"She's had a really good last year or two and I was excited to see her run.

"It's disappointing she couldn't get out there. I really feel for her and I send her some love.

"I wanted to make the next round for her, but it wasn't to be. I hope she's doing alright."