ORGANISERS, the International Association of Athletics Federations, will surely be praying attention shifts away from drugs tests and gay rights and on to sporting matters when the World Championships begin in Moscow this morning.
The immediate involvement of Usain Bolt, in the opening round of the 100 metres, and Mo Farah in the 10,000m, should do much to divert the spotlight back on to the track.
Beyond the double-chasing Farah, Great Britain and Northern Ireland's medal hopes are modest, with Christine Ohuruogu in the 400m the only other sure bet and the prospects of the likes of Perri Shakes-Drayton, Shara Proctor and Dai Greene rather more uncertain.
Eilish McColgan, one of seven Scots in the team, enters the fray in the heats of the 3000m steeplechase this afternoon after a troubled build-up, with a shin complaint limiting her preparation. In any case, the 22-year-old Dundonian knows she is not yet fast enough to match Africa's best.
"The Kenyan girls are running close to nine minutes," McColgan said. "I'm not near that yet. I'm not delusional enough to think I am but I know I'm in personal best shape.
"There's no reason I should be running in the 9.40s, I know I'm in better shape than that. My race fitness, not having the opportunity to improve that, and having had time off from training, doesn't help. But if I get close to 9.30s I'll be happy with that. With everything that's gone on, I can't really ask for more."
This is only McColgan's third full season at her chosen specialism. She qualified for the last World Championships in Daegu in 2011, only to break her foot weeks beforehand. At the Olympics, she departed at the semi-final stage.
The risk-free approach favoured by her mother and coach Liz Lynch has delivered her here intact but the strategy of only surmounting hurdles and water jump in competitive races is not ideal.
With her long-term vision focused on the 2016 Olympics, the Scot knows she must gamble a little in order to translate her raw speed into quick steeplechasing.
"There shouldn't be a minute's difference between that and my steeplechase PB and that's what I need to work on. I don't do any gym work but if I make myself stronger and more robust, small factors like that, it can only improve me so that by the time Rio comes round, I'll be in a position for a medal."
Ohuruogu, the British team captain, has more immediate targets with the 29-year-old established as favourite to regain the 400m title she last won in 2007. The silver medal she won at London 2012 was a triumph but she looks in better shape than 12 months ago.
"I think a lot of athletes here would say they have learned from 2012 and changed practices in accordance with what they have learned," Ohuruogu said.
"I think 2012 was a situation that was one of the hardest we have ever dealt with ever. And I think a lot of people had to grow up after that, not just personally but professionally, they had to grow up in their sport."
The first Scot in action will be Susan Partridge, who must contend with expected temperatures of 29° in the marathon. Matching her 24th place of 2011 may be a struggle, she admitted, saying: "I probably have to accept the fact I might have to ease back, be smart and make sure I'm properly hydrated. I want to get a decent time and finish strongly."
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