At a time when the world is battling the Covid-19 menace, bringing together 10 Olympic medallists from Rio 2016 Olympics and 17 medal winners from last year’s worlds easily reaffirm Doha’s status as the game's leading track and field host venue. Today’s final Diamond League meet of the year at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium, featuring a field that is even rare in the World Championships, guarantees a memorable finish to the troubled season that faced incredible challenges due to the pandemic. Doha, which is also hosting the AFC Champions League football matches currently, lived up to expectations to make the star-studded 12-event programme, a reality. The meet includes sprint hurdles and 800m for both men and women; 100m, 3000m and long jump for women; and 200m, 400m, 1500m and pole vault for men. Strict health protocols have been implemented for the competition, which is the top priority for Doha, also the host venue for the 2019 IAAF World Championships hailed as ‘the best in history’ by World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
“We were facing difficult circumstances - just as the rest of the world was - with the coronavirus pandemic but with the efforts of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Diamond League Organising Committee, we have put in place safety measures to stop the spread of the virus,” said Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) President Dr Thani Al Kuwari in build-up to the event. Thrilling action on the cards At a pre-event press conference yesterday, the track and field stars promised thrilling action for TV audiences around the world. However, there will be no fans allowed inside the Qatar SC Stadium, which has attracted a huge number of spectators in the past editions.
Kenya’s World 5000m champion Hellen Obiri, who will compete in 3000m race, sees the contest as the World Championships race. “It’s going to be like a Championship race. I've trained well, and when I train well I have no doubts in a race,” she said before expressing her love for the Qatari capital. “I've always enjoyed racing in Doha,” she added. “In 2014, I set my PB over 3000m (8:20.68), and last year I won the World Championships here. I like racing here because it's favourable to me.” Another reigning World Champion from Kenya, Timothy Cheruiyot, who clinched the 1500m title at Doha 2019, will test his skills in the 800m race for the first time outside his country. “All of my other races at 800m have been in Kenya, so I’m excited to do an 800m in the Diamond League,” Cheruiyot said yesterday. “This year has been different for everyone. In all of my races in 2020, I’ve only been focused on running. I feel blessed because I’ve been able to race.
This will be my fourth race of the year and then from here I’ll be going to Nairobi for the Continental Tour meeting,” he added. Thompson-Herah ‘grateful’ for top-notch contest Jamaica’s double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, who won in Rome last week, said she is happy to take part in the Diamond League this year. “I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to race in Rome and Doha,” she said. “I had raced a few times in Jamaica but the level and intensity of competition wasn’t the same.
I was a little bit surprised with my run in Rome because I hadn’t raced for a few weeks, but I knew I was capable of running fast because I’d put in the work,” she said. On the field, Mondo Duplantis - the Swedish world record holder in the pole vault will be the centre of attraction with his duel with reigning world champion Sam Kendricks being dubbed a must-watch battle. Also, world steeplechase champion Beatrice Chepkoech, world 5000m silver medallist Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi, world 10,000m bronze medallist Agnes Tirop and world 1500m bronze medallist Gudaf Tsegay are among some of the other top names set to compete in Doha today
