The Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt has expressed sadness that doping issues rather than track talk is dominating the build-up to the world championships.
Usain Bolt wins 200m gold at 2008 Beijing Olympics. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Athletics' world governing body the IAAF has recently been mired with allegations over doping, while Bolt's main sprint rival is Justin Gatlin, the controversial American who has served two doping bans, the latter for four years after testing positive for testosterone.
"It's really taken centre stage, all I've been hearing over the past couple of weeks is doping, doping, doping," Bolt said.
"The majority of questions are about doping, it's definitely sad."
But he played down suggestions that he was the "saviour" of track and field, saying he alone was not capable to turning the tide.
"Initially I'm running for myself, that's what I do," he said. "People say I need to win for the sport, but there are a lot of other athletes who are running clean.
"It's not only on me because I can't do it myself... I think it's the responsibility of all the athletes to take it upon themselves to help save the sport and show the sport can go far, without drugs cheats or athletes who've taken drugs.
"I just try to do what's right by the rules of the IAAF, WADA and everybody. We all know the rules and we just have to abide (by) them.
"It's not only up to me because I can't do it by myself because I'm not the only one in the sport.
"It's up to all the athletes to understand the rules and abide by them and just work hard to be the best: it will make sports a better place."
Bolt might have endured a stop-start season debut, but he vowed he is ready to defend his double sprint titles at the world champs, which begin in Beijing on Saturday.
The towering Jamaican gets his campaign under way in heats for the 100m on the opening day of the competition that runs until August 30.
For Bolt, it will signify a return to Beijing's iconic Bird's Nest stadium, where he first made his name with a thrilling golden treble in the 2008 Beijing Games.
Also on the first day are New Zealanders Nicki Hamblin, who is in the 1500m heats, and Michael Cochrane, who will run in the 400m hurdles heats.
New Zealand's main medal hopes are Tom Walsh in the shot put and Nick Willis in the 1500m.