• Athletics

Radcliffe pays tribute to marathon great Waitz

ESPN staff
April 20, 2011
Paula Radcliffe has paid tribute to Grete Waitz (left), who died after a long battle with cancer © PA Photos
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World marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe has led the tributes to Grete Waitz, who died at the age of 57 after a long battle with cancer.

The Norwegian was a pioneer in women's distance running; breaking the marathon world record four times, slashing the benchmark by nine minutes over a period of five years.

Waitz, who won the London Marathon twice and the New York event nine times, also held several records for distances ranging from 3000m and ten miles, but never won an Olympic title, competing in the 1972 and 1976 events in the 1500m.

"She was an amazing champion and more amazing person I feel privileged to have known her and send my best wishes to [her husband] Jack at this sad time," Radcliffe wrote on her Twitter page.

"Grete was one of my first inspirations and I am honoured to have been able to call her a friend. She was a champion in sport and in life," said Radcliffe, who has often been compared to the Norwegian.

President of the IAAF Lamine Diack called Waitz "one of the brightest flames of the modern athletics era".

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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