Bittersweet experience sees Pavey awarded 2007 World Championships bronze

Jo Pavey admits it will be a bittersweet experience receiving her first global medal after the 2007 World Championship silver medal result for Elvan Abeylegesse was annulled for a drug offence.

The IAAF confirmed the Turkish athlete was guilty of committing a doping offence during the event in Osaka, Japan, with Pavey – who had finished an agonising fourth in the race – now being upgraded to take the bronze medal, ten years on.

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Already a Commonwealth and European medallist, this turnover marks a first world honour for the 43-year-old, still taking to the track despite being a veteran of five Olympic Games.

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But, with her prize coming a decade after she was due to stand on the podium, Pavey admits it won't be the happiest experience when she finally gets the prize she had thought would never come her way.

Jo Pavey of Britain holds her national flag after winning the 10,000m title

Image credit: Reuters

"Obviously, I'll be thrilled to receive that medal that's rightfully mine but it's also bittersweet," she said.

"I was in the best shape of my life that day, it was incredibly hot and humid and I gave it my all and it was so close for a medal. I was in a medal position just before the line.

"I just felt massive frustration I couldn't quite do it, it was a feeling of failure, lying on the track flat on my back, feeling massively disappointed.

"You feel like you've let everyone down when it could have been standing on the podium feeling massively proud, it should have been a day of massive elation. "It's frustrating how much drugs cheats take from you. But it's good things are finally being done about it.

Jo Pavey of Britain winning the 10,000m title in Zurich

Image credit: Reuters

"Around that time, 2007, and beforehand, it was so frustrating because you suspect it's happening but have no definite proof.

"It's been a decade of waiting but now to have it in black and white from the IAAF that her results will be annulled and I'll receive my medal finally means a lot.

"I would have preferred to have been on the podium in Osaka but it is good to have a resolution."yourself goals and then believe you can achieve it. Once you do that then it feels amazing, and that's what I felt after taking part last year."

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