Liz McColgan last night insisted Paula Radcliffe should concentrate on the marathon in next year's Olympic Games.

Radcliffe, the world marathon record holder and European 10,000m champion, has still to decide which event she will focus on at next August's Games in Athens.

McColgan, who won the 1991 world 10,000m gold in Tokyo, believes Radcliffe should concentrate on her strongest discipline.

The Scot said: ''My advice is to tackle the one you're going to win - the marathon.

''It's a really tough event and Paula's a really tough lady.''

Radcliffe tries her hand at another discipline this weekend in Edinburgh when she competes in the European Cross-Country Championships, where she will attempt to guide Great Britain to their first team title.

''They have to be favourites,'' said McColgan ''It will be tough. Really it could come down to the fourth counter. They're a very motivated and a good bunch of athletes who get on very well together.''