BBC SportOlympics

Paula Radcliffe is still hunting for an Olympics medal

The Briton, who has the top three marathon times recorded by a woman, failed to finish after suffering in excessive heat in Athens in 2004.

More heat is expected in China, plus poor air quality and high humidity.

Radcliffe said: "Times will be slower but it will be tougher for everybody, and that will be better for me."

The 34-year-old, who has a 14-month-old baby, added: "A tougher race means the tougher racers will come to the top.

"You can't go in looking at one single person, but at a group of people from where the danger might come, and also be prepared for someone who comes in really good shape who you might not be expecting and be ready to handle that too."

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The Games in China will be Radcliffe's fourth Olympics and she is still searching for her first medal.

In 1996, she finished fifth in the 5,000m in Atlanta, and fourth four years later in Sydney, although it was Athens where the Northwich-born athlete experienced her most traumatic Games.

Starting as favourite for the marathon, she was hindered by a reaction to anti-inflammatories prescribed for a leg injury and pulled out with three miles to go.

But steep uphill gradients and intense heat appeared to drain her.

She then entered the 10,000m a few days later but had to withdraw with eight laps remaining.

"Winning a gold at the Olympics is that much better than winning a gold at the World Championships, which I have," she said.

Last November, Radcliffe held off Ethiopia's Gete Wami to win her second New York marathon.

In April, she will attempt to win her fourth London marathon.