Martyn Rooney has revealed his pride at being given the responsibility of captaining the British team at the World Athletics Championships.

The 28-year-old heads into the meeting looking to make an impact in the 400m, and he is hopeful of providing his teammates with any help they need as one of the most experienced members of the squad.

"It's an honour to represent your country and then to captain your country is another step again. In an individual sport it's maybe not as important as in football or rugby, but if I can try and lead by some kind of example then I've done my job," Rooney told the British Athletics website.

"I tried to get everyone to focus on the World Championships themselves and performing in the Bird's Nest. The main objective was to get them to concentrate on one thing - winning."

Rooney, who claimed gold at the European Championships last year, has never reached a world final.