DOHA: The QAF hosted the Commemoration Reunion of 1993 World Indoor 60m Medallists in Doha.
The 60 meters sprint medallists from the 1993 World Indoor Championships were honoured during a commemorative reunion hosted by the Qatar Athletics Federation in Doha yesterday.
Bruny Surin of Canada, Frank Fredericks from Namibia and Talal Mansour of Qatar, the gold, silver and bronze medallists respectively, were presented with commemorative crystal trophies by IAAF President Lamine Diack at the event hosted by His Excellency Dahlan Al Hamad, President of the Qatari Athletics Federation and QAF General Secretary Mohammed Al Kuwari.
“Sport is about what brings people together.
It is great that we have all three medallists from 1993 here with us” said President Dahlan.
“We need to think always about athletes from the past and to welcome them into our present family.”
It was a particularly moving moment for Mansour, the first sprinter from Qatar to win a global medal in athletics.
“This is a very emotional moment for me,” Mansour said, his voice cracking as he struggled to hold back tears.
“I’m very grateful for this initiative.”
Standing with his 14-year-old son Esmail at his side when he accepted the trophy, Mansour added:
“Thank you so very much for remembering me.
I’m very happy to have brought my son here to witness this historic moment.”
Surin, who won the gold medal at those championships before a home crowd in Toronto, was delighted to be part of the reunion. “Thanks so much for thinking about the past. I’m grateful to be here and I wish the best and brightest future to all athletes in Qatar.”
Fredericks, the silver medallist in the race, was equally delighted.
“It’s a great honour to be here, especially with Talal who was the flag bearer for Qatari athletics,” said Fredericks, who later that year triumphed over 200 metres at the World Championships outdoors. “It was an honour to compete with these two gentlemen.
It was honest, it was true.” “I’m delighted to share this special lunch on the occasion of the Doha IDL 2014 with our hosts and friends,” said Diack.
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