Beijing: Justin Gatlin hopes the public will see him as a “human being” rather than a drugs cheat after the World Championships. Athletics is currently experiencing one of the most difficult times in the sport’s history, with the spate of doping allegations dominating the build-up to the event in Beijing.

Gatlin has been cast as the number one villain having previously failed two drugs tests, leading to a certain sense of relief when Usain Bolt pipped him to gold in the 100 and 200 metres.