LAURA Muir never imagined competing at major championships when she watched the 2012 Olympics – but she now has far higher expectations as the London Stadium hosts another major event.

The veterinary student was inspired to take her athletics career to the next level by watching the Olympics on television five years ago and is now targeting medals in both the 1500 and 5000 metres in the World Championships after breaking several British and European records in recent seasons.

The Scot said: “At that stage of my career I was only 19 and didn’t see myself being at the next Olympics or anything like that. It was amazing to watch but I never really thought I could get there myself. I was so far off at that point.

“So to be in Rio last year and be competing in the stadium this year, I’m so pleased how things have gone. I have made such a big progression in these last three or four years.

“I am fortunate enough to have competed in the stadium a couple of times and the reception has always been brilliant. I’m really excited about getting back out there in front of that home crowd and hopefully give them something to cheer.”

Muir finished fifth in the 1500m final two years ago and seventh in the Olympics last year but gold medals in the 1500m and 3000m at the European Indoor Championships in March have given her added belief as she prepared for her campaign in the first round last night.

“Having the two events close together, and showing I could race well tactically and deal with the rounds mentally and physically, set me up really well,” said Muir, who shook off a foot fracture in June. “Year by year I am getting a lot more experienced in terms of racing.”

Muir could propel herself into stardom if she fulfils her potential in London and British Athletics captain Eilidh Doyle believes a new generation of track athletes are ready to step up and replace Usain Bolt and Sir Mo Farah.

Four-time Olympic champion Farah will run his last track race at the Diamond League final in Zurich this month before focusing on the marathon while Bolt will retire following the World Championships.

Farah is aiming to defend his 10,000m and 5000m titles for a second time and was all set to run in the 10,000m final late last night to cap the first day.

Eight-time Olympic champion Bolt also ran in the 100m heats ahead of today’s semi-final and final – with the latter primed to be his last global individual race.

And while they leave a gap in the sport Doyle expects others to fill it.

“We are going to be saying goodbye to two big legends, but what you have to remember is that Bolt and Mo Farah don’t compete that much throughout the year,” she said. “At championships you will see that gap, but whenever champs start people embrace them and just get behind athletics and who is there. I don’t think they are going to leave that big a gap.

“You have got people like (South Africa’s) Wayde Van Niekerk coming through smashing records. It’s not all doom and gloom.”

Meanwhile, Great Britain received three medals before the World Championships even got under way at the London Stadium.

The women’s 4x400 metres relay teams from three successive World Championships – Berlin 2009, Daegu 2011 and Moscow 2013 – were presented with medals denied them at the time by Russian teams later disqualified for doping.

Christine Ohuruogu, not competing in these championships, took to the podium three times in her home city, collecting bronze medals from 2009 and 2011 and a silver from 2013.

The 2008 Olympic 400m champion, 33, now has 12 major outdoor global medals.