Significantly, Japan's Olympic marathon champion Mizuki Noguchi is not planning to chase the gold medal on home territory.

BBC: Yamauchi voices Osaka heat fears

ATHENS, Greece -- Japan's Mizuki Noguchi produced a courageous run from the front to win the Olympic women's marathon title as Paula Radcliffe's challenge ended in tears.

CNN: Noguchi claims marathon gold medal

Rumors that Radcliffe was carrying an injury developed after she refused to speak to media at the start of Sunday's race, which was won by Japan's Mizuki Noguchi.

CNN: Radcliffe can't explain nightmare