Qatar’s sporting calendar is packed with a number of major events in the coming days and months. Athletics fever has gripped Qatar as the nation prepares to welcome the world’s best athletes for the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019. The 10-day event, the third largest in the world, will be held for the first time in Qatar and the Middle East starting Friday. Falah the Falcon is the official mascot of the Championships.
More than 3,000 athletes from 213 countries around the world will be competing in 24 competitions. During the tournament, two facilities will host events and competitions — Khalifa International Stadium and Doha Corniche, which will witness night marathons. Among the races include the world’s first ever midnight marathons which will take place along the Corniche.
Dahlan Al Hamad, Director-General of the Local Organising Committee, said: “Qatar is ready to host an extraordinary edition of the World Athletics Championships. We are confident in our abilities to host a magnificent event. We want to reflect Qatar’s image as a sports-loving country. Our goal is to show Qatar’s image as one of the most open countries in the world.”
Al Hamad said: “Qatar is a young and ambitious nation. We hope that seeing is believing and as you can see today we are ready to deliver upon our promises, from our stadium to our airport, our infrastructure to accommodation and our world-famous hospitality. Everything is in place including a growing excitement and energy among the local community. In hosting the first ever IAAF World Athletics Championships in the Middle East, we have a shared vision and commitment in partnering with the IAAF, to grow participation of this wonderful sport across Qatar, the region and the world.”
A comprehensive security plan has been prepared for the championship to ensure the success of this major event, in accordance with the reputation of the State of Qatar. Captain Saeed Juma Al Hitmi from the Establishments and Authorities Security Department and Director of Marathon Security at the tournament said security authorities in the country are responsible for securing all sports events and other major events, for Qatar to be a place where athletes find a good atmosphere for creativity.
World Athletics Championships are the third largest among top sporting events after the Olympic Games and the World Cup Football. More than 2,500 media delegations, and 4,000 volunteers from 90 countries will be part of the IAAF championships. Qatar has experience in hosting major sporting events. In 2010, it hosted the World Indoor Championship for the first time in the Middle East, as well as many world championships in various sports. The World Athletics Championships will leave Qatar a lasting legacy and inspire generations to come.
