The marathon hopeful said: "If you'd asked me the same question back in 2004, I'd have said, 'no way, only gold will do,' but if I come away with a bronze this time, I'll be really, really, happy.

"Obviously there's one medal I want more but at the end of the day it's still an Olympic medal and that's what I don't have."

Radcliffe added in Zest magazine: "I'm the first to admit this isn't my best chance, but I still have a chance, and when you have a chance - whatever your goal - you just have to give it 100% and see what happens.

Glory

"It's going to be so special - the atmosphere, the support - it makes me want to put everything into my training to be the best that I can on the day."

The current women's world record holder also concedes that this may be her last chance for Olympic glory.

The mother of two admitted: "Probably [it will be], though I'll never say never.

"My body has done a lot of running and I don't want it to reach breaking point.

"I want to be 60 and still be able to go for a run with Gary (her husband Gary Lough) because I get a lot of pleasure from it. I'm not ready to hang up my shoes just yet. Then again, I'm not sure I ever will be."