European Championships: Farah, Gemili and Sharp seeking gold

For all the presence of Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford and twice World 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu, this British squad is as much about the emerging talent as the established.

There is Adam Gemili, fresh from his Commonwealth 100m silver in Glasgow, taking on reigning champion Christophe Lemaitre in his preferred event of 200m.

There is 17-year-old Morgan Lake, newly crowned World Junior heptathlon champion, competing here in the high jump.

There is 400m sensation Matthew Hudson-Smith, 19 years old and improving with every race at what is still an unfamiliar distance, 19-year-old 800m tyro Jess Judd and 20-year-old sprinter Jodie Williams, at last fulfilling all her rich junior potential and hunting a third personal best in two months.

“I think this team is one of the most exciting we’ve had,” says Sayers.

“We’ve got some fantastic experience in Dwain Chambers and Jo Pavey, but also a layer not just here for experience but to do something. I made my debut aged 20 and was nowhere near as good as some of these guys.”

Then there are those looking to push on from big performances in Glasgow.

Eilidh Child, 400m hurdles silver medallist, is the top-ranked European in her event this season; her Scottish team-mate Lynsey Sharp, who also won silver at the Commonwealths, has unfinished business of a different sort.

Two years ago in Helsinki Sharp initially won 800m silver behind Yelena Arzhakova, only for the Russian to later be stripped of her title for abnormalities in her biological passport.

Presented with her gold in March this year, Sharp was nonetheless denied the chance to run a lap of honour or stand atop the podium. This time she wants to do things properly.