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Paula Radcliffe loses Lottery funding

Paula Radcliffe is not considered a medal prospect for the Rio Olympics 2016 by UK Athletics © Getty Images

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Paula Radcliffe has lost her National Lottery funding for the 2013 season as UK Athletics announced its reduced list of supported competitors.

The marathon world record holder missed London 2012 with a foot injury, but has vowed that the decision will not prompt her to retire from the sport.

The national governing body has narrowed the focus of its World Class Performance Programme from athletes with top-eight potential to those in contention for medal positions.

The result is fewer spaces for podium-level funded athletes, the highest band of Lottery support providing grants of £3,000 to £26,000, as well as access to coaches, medical staff and training camps.

Athletes not considered medal contenders at the Rio Olympics in 2016 were expected to be cut, while those who failed to meet the targets set out for them over the past two seasons were also under threat.

"Being part of the World Class Performance plan is a privilege and not a right and athletes selected will be expected to fulfill tough performance criteria," UK Athletics performance director Neil Black said.

"Accountability is at the heart of this programme and athletes who have not met performance criteria over the last year will not receive continued support. It is undoubtedly tough, but that is performance sport."

Radcliffe, 38, missed London 2012 through injury and did not compete at the World Championships in Daegu in 2011.

Former world 800m bronze medallist Jenny Meadows was retained by the programme despite not being selected for the Olympics after missing the entire 2012 season due to injury.

World junior 100m champion Adam Gemili, 1500m Olympic finalist Laura Weightman, 110m hurdler Andy Pozzi and Olympic high jump bronze medallist Robbie Grabarz have been promoted to podium status.

Martyn Rooney, the 400m runner, remains with the programme, but Commonwealth 1500 metres bronze medallist Stephanie Twell and former European 800m silver medallist Michael Rimmer were also cut.

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