ATHLETICS at the Commonwealth Games has given the sport some lasting and iconic images over the years.
Tanzania's Philbert Bayi setting a world 1500m record with a gunto-tape victory in Christchurch in 1974, Jim Peters entering the stadium in Vancouver 60 years ago, some 15 minutes ahead of the next runner, but staggering around the track and collapsing before the finish.
Vancouver was where Roger Bannister beat Australia's John Landy in what was described as the 'Mile of the Century'. Thelma Hopkins also won Northern Ireland's first gold medal that year, and who could forget the subsequent triumphs of Mary Peters and Mike Bull before Philip Beattie tore up the form book to win the 400m Hurdles in Edinburgh in 1986?
Although dismissed by some as meaningless, the 2014 Games look likely to continue the tradition of top class athletics. Although Mo Farah is a late withdrawal, Usain Bolt will compete in the sprint relay for Jamaica and there is a sprinkling of World and Olympic champions throughout the events.
As ever, the Kenyans are expected to dominate the distances, with world record holder David Rudisha set to contest the men's 800m. However, NI athletes in Glasgow will be looking to bridge a 24-year gap back to 1990 when Janet Boyle and Jackie McKernan were the last local athletes to win Commonwealth medals.
Both lifted silver medals but no Northern Ireland athlete has mounted the medal dais in the subsequent six celebrations of the Games.
It is by far the longest medal drought in the 84-year history of NI athletes participating in the Games and hopes are pinned on pole-vaulter Zoe Brown to bring the long wait to an end.