PAULA Radcliffe might have felt the heat on the streets of Athens, but Matt O'Dowd is as cool as ever ahead of his own marathon test.

The Swindon Harrier's day of destiny finally arrives tomorrow but he's not feeling the pressure yet.

Even Radcliffe's demise over the gruelling 26-mile course has done little to unsettle the ever-laidback star.

O'Dowd touched down in the Greek capital on Wednesday after three weeks in Team GB's Cypriot training camp.

The reality of the task in hand should really be hitting home now but O'Dowd remains relaxed.

He said: "I'm feeling fine at the moment and preparations are going well, but I'll probably start really feeling the nerves before the race.

"I'm sure that in the next 24 hours it will start to sink in that I'm here.

"I've been taking it relatively easy in the build-up, running twice a day, but at a lower intensity, and it's all gone well."

The task in hand is immense, though.

The 28-year-old has completed just one competitive marathon in his career on his debut in New York where he finished eighth two years ago.

That display alone was enough to book his place at the Olympics but an injury and illness-plagued last 18 months has kept him sidelined for long spells.

If the tough, undulating course and unbearable heat can break the women's world record holder what can it do to a man short of race practice?

"If that kind of heat is going to affect you there is nothing you can do about it.

"And thinking about it will only make it worse," said the former Commonweal School pupil.

"I don't think there will be many of us out there who would have run in that sort of heat before so who knows how individuals will cope with it?

"I've done quite well running in hot conditions before, although not over the same distance."

O'Dowd also races without the pressure of a nation's expectations.

He has ruled himself out of medal contention and will line up tomorrow with nothing to lose.

"In my position I'm not under so much pressure," he said.

"I'll run at my own pace and if someone passes me then that's fine I'll see them a few miles down the line."

O'Dowd lines up in the men's marathon with fellow Brits John Brown who finished fourth in Sydney four years ago and Dan Robinson.