Owens, who won 100m, 200m, 4x100m and long jump gold at the politically charged 1936 Games, will be honoured at various events, with Diack naming Bolt as a possible successor.

'Jesse Owens is surely the most iconic legend of our sport ... He was, without a doubt, not just an amazing athlete but an outstanding human being. So I would love someone like Usain Bolt for example, to try and match Jesse Owens not only on the track, but by setting an example outside the stadium as well.'

Diack defended Bolt in the recent doping probe involving a training partner of his as well.

'You cannot say that because one Jamaican as broken the rules, then Usain must be involved as well. Usain was tested at the same time - as was Asafa Powell and others - and they have not recorded any adverse findings,' the IAAF president said.

Looking at the Berlin championships, Diack said that 1,130 doping tests are planned and that samples will be frozen and stored for possible retests.

Diack said the 12th edition of the championships is crucial for the sport in general and marketing terms.

'What is clear is that the world championships in Berlin will offer a key indicator about the health of athletics and this is why it is so important to us. The next two weeks will be crucial for our future,' Diack said.

A good showing from the German team including high jump favourite Ariane Friedrich could help towards success of the biggest sports in the country since the 2006 football World Cup.

'Germany has a team which can win medals and this is what will help fill the stadium,' said Diack.