Former British decathlete Daley Thompson has heaped praised on Paula Radcliffe following her decision to withdraw from the marathon at the London Olympics.

The 38-year-old opted to pull out of the Games after failing to recover from a persistent foot injury.

Speculation has now claimed that she will now call time on her career.

With that in mind, two-time Olympic gold medallist Thompson has described Radcliffe as "one of the greatest athletes" Britain has ever produced.

"Paula Radcliffe if u do retire its as one of the greatest athletes we have ever produced," he wrote on Twitter. "The only thing u lacked in you armory was luck."

Radcliffe failed to win a gold medal in the two Olympic Games that she competed in.