MO FARAH has become accustomed to fending off the attacks as they arrive in waves, one after another. The criticism of his unwillingness to cut ties with his embattled coach Alberto Salazar amid a series of damaging allegations against his Nike-backed Project Oregon. The scrutiny of American investigators who subjected him to interrogation. The claims from old rival Andy Vernon of undignified and unnecessary sniping.

“Most things I've been in control of I've dealt with reasonably well,” Farah affirms, shrugging off the challenges posed. “At the same time I just like to do what I do best and that is to run.”

It will, you sense, come as a blessed relief for the double Olympic champion that he will only have to contend with a mass onslaught of Kenyans and Ethiopians when he steps onto the track in Beijing today and away from the hubris outside.

These have been the most testing of times for the 32-year-old Londoner, who will aim to defend his 10,000 metres title when the first gold medal of these World Championships is allocated within the Bird’s Nest. When he last ventured here, for the Olympiad of 2008, Farah was an after-thought, exiting in the semi-finals to no major surprise. Since then, he has re-invented himself as a metal detector with a particularly magnetic pull towards gold.

Yet while he was due a reunion with Salazar in recent days, distance has been kept in the build-up. The disruption, he claims, will not harm his chances. Sports science guru Barry Fudge, the former Scotland schools rugby internationalist, has assumed the mentoring reigns as part of his role as UK Athletics’ endurance supremo. “It's been a good atmosphere,” Farah says. “I'm happy and relaxed. I talk to my kids now and then. Everything feels good at the minute.”

With a fourth child on the way, and prolonged absences from the familial base in Oregon, the sacrifices pinch harder than in the past. Before, friends claim, he would relish training camps in Africa as a means to escapes the stresses of parenting. More mature, wiser, he has increasingly embraced his dual roles.

“My wife sends me videos of the kids and you just want to be there,” he reveals. “They are talking now and having proper conversations and they are growing so fast. It's hard but daddy has to do what he has to do, and this is my job to go out there and train. I spend seven months of the year away from my family, year in and year out, but it's not easy so when I get on I get on the podium it's one of the proudest moments for me.”

Should he stand alone on the top step this afternoon, he will have carved a place in history. Since losing to Ibrahim Jeilan over 10,000m at the Worlds in 2011, five global titles in succession have been plundered. No-one has managed six in a row. And should he also retain his 5000m crown next week, he would surpass the magnificent Haile Gebrselassie’s personal victory count.

On times, Farah starts as favourite in the longer distance. It is the crowd of Kenyans, led by Paul Tanui and Geoffrey Kamworor, who he fears most. Three against one, even if it is a strategy he has nullified before. “I think early on they will try to do something for sure to burn me out – or try to tire me out for the 5km.”

When the latest attacks inevitably come, he will assuredly be ready. “I am confident and as long as I can run my own race, judge the race well, that's what really matters. And obviously, at the end, to be there.“

Meanwhile, CJ Ujah clams Britain’s trio of sprinters may have to break the 10-second barrier to have a shot at making tomorrow’s 100m final. With attention skewed towards Justin Gatlin, the presumed front runner, and a slew of doping offenders who might end Usain Bolt’s reign, Ujah insists he, James Dasaolu and Richard Kilty cannot be written off.

“We’ve had more sprinters run sub-10 this year than ever, so it’s going to be interesting,” said Ujah, who ran 9.96 for the second time in his career in London last month. “Fatigue will definitely play a part, but I will need around my PB to make the final.”