DAVE BEDFORD yesterday sprang to the defence of Paula Radcliffe, who was criticised by James Cracknell, the Olympic rowing gold medal-winner, for failing to complete the marathon at the Athens Games.

Bedford, the race director of the Flora London Marathon, said yesterday: “I know that James Cracknell is running the 2005 London Marathon, but I didn’t know that he has become an instant expert on what is a very complex event.

“Had Paula attempted to go any farther she would have done herself serious damage and may never have run again. To stop was a correct decision and not a sign of weakness.”

Cracknell will appear tomorrow in BBC Sports Personality of the Year, a programme that Radcliffe will miss because she is on holiday in Mexico. Cracknell, who is having a year away from international rowing, made his comments in A Question of Sport magazine, published to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the show.

He was quoted as saying: “So many Brits lined the marathon route and gathered in the stadium specifically to clap Paula round. I went to watch her 10,000 metres. I was not overly impressed when she quit.

“I am pleased she won in New York (the annual marathon last month). She is a fabulous athlete. But, as an athlete, I feel uncomfortable with what she did in Athens.”

Cracknell is hoping to complete the London Marathon, on April 17, in less than three hours. Radcliffe, who may also take part, set the world record of 2hr 15min 25sec in her previous appearance, in 2003.