BEIJING, China — The eagerly anticipated 15th IAAF World Championships starts today with Jamaica aiming to surpass their highest medal tally of 13, earned in 2009, after sending their largest contingent of 53 athletes.

In 2013 in Moscow, Jamaica garnered nine medals courtesy of triple gold medals by the incomparable pair of Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who won identical gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relays.

Head coach Michael Clarke said Jamaica’s ambition is to at least match their last medal haul. “But we the technical staff are not burdened by the expectation of medal haul. Our job is to see them psychologically and technically ready to compete, and having done that, may the chips fall where they may,” said Clarke.

Despite varying opinions on the preparedness of the team, Clarke believes the mood is very good. “There is no demarcation between age or status or perceived status. The camaraderie is good,” said Clarke.

This Jamaican team is the most diverse aggregation ever sent to a championship with a number of athletes contesting the less glamorous disciplines, and Clarke believes Jamaica’s programme is heading in the right direction.

“The diversity is good. It enhances our total development, in terms of the disciplines, and gives opportunities to persons not in the more popular events,” the Calabar High School coach noted.

Beijing is often said to be the place that propelled Jamaica to the forefront of sprinting in the world, and once again this Chinese city will be the place where Bolt is expected to deliver the magic and save the sport from the embarrassing doping scandals.

Although he has said he cannot single-handedly save the sport, a victory in the men’s 100m is of paramount importance, and he said he’s ready.

“When it comes to competitions, it’s always who is in the best form or who executes well, but I am ready to go,” he said yesterday.

Bolt will be in action in the afternoon session in the heats of the 100m, but there is bad news in the Jamaican camp as Nesta Carter, who replaced the injured Kemar Bailey-Cole in the 100m, in fact won’t be competing because he was not entered as a reserve, leaving only Bolt, Asafa Powell and Nickel Ashmeade in the blue-ribbon event.

Meanwhile, Salcia Slack will be the first Jamaican in action on Day One as she goes in heat two of the 100m hurdles of the heptathlon at 9:00 am (8:00 pm Jamaican time).

Danniel Thomas will bow into action in the women’s shot put in the morning session. Roxbert Cato will lead the men in the 400m hurdles as he is drawn in heat one entering with the fourth fastest time of 48.48 seconds, but a seasonal best of 48.72 seconds.

Leford Green will have to run his socks off, having been drawn in an extremely tough heat two alongside Jehue Gordon of Trinidad and Tobago, American Michael Tinsley, Javier Culson of Puerto Rico and LJ Van Zyl of South Africa. Green has a seasonal best of 49.22, while at least four runners in the race are in the 47-plus-seconds bracket.

Jamaica’s third 400m hurdler, Answert Whyte, seems to have a more favourable draw and should advance from heat three and bring an end to Jamaica’s activity on day one.