Four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah headlines the British team for London 2017 ©Getty Images

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah and long jumper Greg Rutherford are among the headline names in the British squad for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in London.

Sir Mo will target a fourth straight world title in the 5,000 metres and is also aiming to secure a hat-trick of consecutive 10,000m crowns during the event at the Olympic Stadium.

The 34-year-old, who has not been defeated in a 5,000m or 10,000m race at a major championships since 2011, has endured a difficult build-up to the competition on home soil.

He threatened legal action and stressed he had "never failed a blood test" following the release of hacked documents from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) which appear to show a blood test result from him and from 46 other athletes that caused initial suspicion and required further checking.

Rutherford's preparations have not been ideal, either, as he has faced a race against time to to be fit to defend his long jump title after suffering an ankle ligament injury.

"Obviously this isn't ideal,” said Rutherford.

“But I am doing everything to give myself the best chance of success at the World Championships in London."

British Athletics have "backed Rutherford to in his race to be fit to compete in the stadium where he won Olympic gold in 2012".

Greg Rutherford has faced a race against time to be fit to defend his long jump title ©Getty Images
Greg Rutherford has faced a race against time to be fit to defend his long jump title ©Getty Images

The 78-strong team for the event, which runs from August 4 to 13, also includes Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who is set to compete in the heptathlon and high jump.

Olympic bronze medallist Sophie Hitchon has been chosen to participate in the women's hammer, while Laura Muir arrives as a hot medal prospect in the 1,500m.

Dina Asher-Smith, who also won a bronze medal at Rio 2016 in the 4x100m, will bid to improve on her 5th place finish in the 200m at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing.

The athletes selected will vote to elect their team captain, with voting due to begin today.

The captain will then be announced on July 24.

"This feels bigger for us than Rio," British Athletics performance director Neil Black said.

"London 2017 is the major global sporting event this year and will be the biggest occasion the country has seen since 2012. 

"We’ve selected some incredibly talented athletes, and in many events there have been some close calls. 

"It’s now up to them to grasp this opportunity and produce performances that will make the whole nation proud.”

The full squad can be read here.