Berlin  - First discussed on the terrace of German athletics supremo Clemens Prokop, the world athletics championships have finally arrived and the home team is determined to do well.

That applies especially to those athletes who call Berlin their home town, such as walker Andre Hoehne, who may hope that his foreign rivals are distracted by the sites surrounding the course.

"I know the sites, I can fully concentrate on my event," Hoehne said on Friday of the course on the Unter den Linden boulevard with its famous buildings and the Brandenburg Gate at the end.

Holding the walks and the marathons outside the stadium is new with Hoehne and others hoping for big crowds to cheer them on.

"I am proud to be competing in my home town. There are quite a few candidates for the medals but I hope to be up front with the help of the crowd," the 31-year-old said.

German officials hope that Hoehne can ignite the home team which is led by high-jumper Ariane Friedrich, the biggest medal hope as season leader with 2.06m.

"We have high expectations. It is a unique experience for German athletes to present ourselves. We have to make athletics popular again and ensure its future in the country," said Prokop.

Contenders include the usual throwers such as Franka Dietzsch (discus), Steffi Nerius and Christina Obergfoell (both javelin) as well as Marcus Esser and Betty Heidler (hammer).

"It is a special kick to throw in front of my home fans and my family," said Esser.

German athletics reached rock-bottom at the Beijing Olympics with just one bronze medal. Now the team hopes to be as successful as at the 2007 worlds in Osaka (seven medals including two golds) or at the first worlds in Germany 1993 in Stuttgart (eight medals, two of them gold).

The idea for another edition of the worlds originated at the home of Prokop together with the federation's high performance sports director Frank Hensel.

"It is a moving moment to start these world championships. I remember how we were having the idea at my coffee table on the terrace," Prokop said.

Berlin eventually won the right to host the worlds in December 2004, beating Valencia, Split and Brussels, and Prokop hopes that fans and athletes will grab the unique opportunity.

"We hope to see many smiling faces in the end," said Prokop. (dpa)