Radcliffe has no Olympics fear for 'phenomenal' Keith

"Phenomenal" Megan Keith "has everything to learn and nothing to fear" at the Olympics this summer, says British athletics great Paula Radcliffe.

In her three races since taking up the 10,000m three months ago, Keith has qualified for next month's Games in Paris, won a British title, and claimed her first senior championship medal - a European bronze in Rome.

The 22-year-old is already fourth on the all-time UK women's 10,000m standings behind Radcliffe, who has been hugely impressed by the Scot.

"I think what is most encouraging is the way she is running," the world silver and European gold medallist told BBC Scotland.

"She is unafraid to do as she did in Rome - go to the front and push it knowing she might be sacrificing the chance of having a bit more left at the end.

"But to knowingly whittle it down to three and a medal was very clever running."

Radcliffe pointed out that Keith "still has room for improvement" at her new distance.

The Inverness athlete had won European and world youth titles in orienteering before going on to strike European Under-23 gold in cross country and at 5,000m.

And Radcliffe suggests backing "it up with those 10,000m performances has been phenomenal".

"Without a doubt, that cross-country base is what has laid the groundwork, but as she learns the event, she will certainly move through more," she added.

"I don’t think she has yet used altitude training really. She is certainly not at max in her training, which is very encouraging, because that shows she has room to grow."

Radcliffe suggests Keith should treat the Olympics as part of a "learning curve" that will help achieve higher position on winning rostrums.

"Her first Olympics, she has got everything to learn and nothing to fear," Radcliffe said.

"I am not by any means heaping pressure on her that she should be thinking of medals there, but a top performance and a fast time, why not?"