CHRISTINE Ohuruogu hopes she can be an unlikely figurehead for British athletics following her triumphant performance in the World Championships in Osaka.

The 23-year-old stormed to gold in the Nagai Stadium on Wednesday in a personal-best time of 49.61 seconds, narrowly edging compatriot Nicola Sanders - 49.65secs - into second.

It completed a remarkable transformation in fortunes for Ohuruogu, who only returned from a 12-month ban for missing three out-of-competition drugs tests earlier this month.

"It is very good in terms of competition, its what Britain needs right now, people competing at the top level," said the gold medallist.

"I hope that people take a leaf out of that."