DONETSK, Ukraine:

Sprinting standout Michael O'Hara carries to the IAAF World Youth Championships, the expectations of millions of Jamaicans, but as far as he is concerned, the two that matter most are his parents.

O'Hara, seen by many as the 'next big thing' off Jamaica's conveyor belt of top-class sprinters, knows very well that his status on the IAAF top list and his tremendous development and results in the Calabar green and black, makes him one of the biggest names here.

However, the youngster, who is responsible for the second-fastest 100m (10.39) and 200m (20.75) times recorded by a youth athlete this season, is not only hoping to stand on top of the medal podium for personal satisfaction.

His main motivation goes by the name Kareen Williams.

"My mother has been there one hundred per cent for me throughout it all to ensure that I am doing all the right things as well and staying on track," O'Hara told STAR Sports, ahead of the championships which starts tomorrow at the RSC Olimpiyskiy.

"She is a big reason for me doing what I do, and you know that a mother's love plays a big part in your lifestyle," he added. "She makes sure I'm on the right diet and taking the right vitamins and so forth."

"Will she be the first person I think of when I cross the line? Oh yes, and my dad as well, he is in New York, and he calls every day as well," O'Hara smiled.

The athlete, who was forced to miss the Carifta Games after contracting the chicken pox virus just before the start of the competition held in The Bahamas earlier this year, is also looking forward to making up for that missed opportunity, as he gets his international career started.

"It's an opportunity to make up for lost time so to speak, and for me to go out there and show the world who Michael O'Hara is and what I am capable of doing," said O'Hara. "This is where my journey is really going to start and many persons are expecting a lot from me, so I am really looking forward to this."

"This being my first selection to a world team, plus a trip to Europe; anybody would be excited about that, but I am just looking to pull through and do the best that I can do," he added.

While the eyes of the world will rest squarely on the young man from Red Hills Road, his will be focused on glory in Donetsk, while his heart remains home with his ever-supportive mother.

2013 WYC FACT:

The Regional Sports Complex 'Olimpiyskyi'is the venue for the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Athletics. It is a multipurpose stadium owned by popular Ukrainian Premier League football team Shakhtar Donetsk. The stadium has a capacity of 25,678 and was originally opened in 1958 before a reconstruction in 2003.

Ja's past performances at WYC

(1999) Bydgoszcz, Poland - 9 medals (3 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze)

(2001) Debrecen, Hungary - 6 medals (1 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze)

(2003) Sherbrooke, Canada - 4 medals (2 gold, 2 silver, 0 bronze)

(2005) Marrakesh, Morocco - 3 medals (0 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze)

(2007) Ostrava, Czech Republic - 9 medals (2 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze)

(2009) Brixen, Italy - 2 medals (0 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)

(2011) Lille, France - 9 medals (4 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronze)