Pavey returned to competition in 2016 with the aim of competing in a fifth Olympic Games. Despite suffering from a chest infection and virus, she lined up in the British Championship and Olympic Trials 10,000 metres on 21 May. A top two finish inside the qualifying time of 32:15 would have guaranteed selection, but Pavey was well below her best and struggled home in sixth in 33:22. The illness persisted for around six weeks making it seem extremely unlikely that she would qualify for her fifth games. Pavey travelled to Boston, USA for a 10000m race in which she hoped to gain the Olympic qualifying time. When she arrived in the USA the race was cancelled. Her last chance was to run the European Championship in Amsterdam on 6 July. Pavey finished in a time of 31:34.61 (official over 40 world record). This was the fastest time run by a British athlete in 2016 and Pavey also finished ahead of the British Olympic Trial winner. A week later her selection for a historic fifth games was announced by the selectors.