'Broken' Lewis rules out retirement

Denise Lewis has vowed that she will "certainly carry on" despite the disappointment of failing to complete, let alone defend, her Olympic heptathlon title in Athens.

Lewis, who had an injury-disrupted run-up to the Games, pulled out of the heptathlon with two disciplines remaining after falling out of contention for a medal. But the 31-year-old has moved to quell speculation that she might be ready to bring down the curtain on her career by announcing her intention to battle on, possibly for another couple of years.

"I know in my heart that I have got a lot to offer and I will bring it out," she said.

"I will certainly carry on. I will evaluate where I need to work and what I need to do with my coach, sit down and plan the next phase.

"It won't be for long, a couple of years maybe. But I look at the rankings and I know there's still room for me and for medal performances.

"In my heart I know that is possible. And if the faith is there I don't see why I shouldn't carry on."

An emotional Lewis said after pulling out of the Games that she was "physically and emotionally devastated" and "completely empty".

But, yesterday, in defiant mood, she said: "I have done my mourning now. Athletics demands so much of you and takes so much out of you that for three days afterwards, of course you are thinking it's not worth it any more.

"But that performance you saw a few days ago was not the real Denise Lewis. That was not me. I finished this event in Athens broken, but I will put myself back together again."

The UK Athletics chief executive, David Moorcroft, believes Paula Radcliffe is capable of "making the impossible possible" by competing in the Olympic 10,000 metres in Athens.

Radcliffe is considering whether to enter tomorrow's 25-lap track event after failing in her attempt to win gold in the marathon last Sunday. Radcliffe pulled out of the marathon four miles from the finish after a gruelling run in intense heat.

Moorcroft believes it would now take an extraordinary effort for her to run again, but he believes Radcliffe is capable of such a feat.

Moorcroft, himself a former 5,000m world record holder, said on BBC Radio Five Live: "Having been savaged by that course over 22 miles it is difficult to comprehend how anyone can come out and run the 10,000m.

"I would say it is not possible. Maybe her heart is saying something different - but it is her decision. She has to wait four years for the Olympics to come round again.

"Conventional wisdom says it is not possible but Paula has a habit of making the impossible possible.

"If her heart says it is right then it is probably the right thing to do.

"If it was me I couldn't even possibly consider running but that is what makes me an average athlete and her a world-beater."

The highlight for the British team on the track so far has been Kelly Holmes' gold medal success in the 800m on Monday night.

Moorcroft added: "Kelly was magnificent. Most felt in Sydney at 30 to get the bronze was a wonderful way to end her career.

"But to come back four years later and win in the style she did with a perfect tactical race - it was one of the most special moments I have experienced in athletics."