Dahlan Al Hamad (right), Director-General of the Local Organising Committee and Vice-President of the IAAF and Lord Sebastian Coe, IAAF President addressing the media during a press conference held in Doha yesterday. Picture: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
The 17th edition of the IAAF World Athletics Championships - first time to be held in the Middle East - is set to leave a legacy to ‘last a lifetime’, Dahlan Al Hamad, Director General of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) said yesterday.
Around 2,000 participants from 208 countries are taking part in the championships at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium where a strong American contingent is expected to dominate the proceedings.
The 48,000-seater venue, fully air conditioned and easily accessible from all corners of the Qatari capital, will open with the men’s long jump qualifying rounds at 4:30pm.
“This championships will not last 10 days. It will last a lifetime. It is a legacy that will inspire the next generation of sport. Seeing our children play sports is thrilling. Over 100 schools are taking part in the championships since we have combined sports with education,” Al Hamad said yesterday sitting alongside IAAF President Sebastian Coe.
“We have seen tremendous sports growth around the world and in our country. More children are asking more questions by learning new skills and all because of the excitement of this championships,” he added.
“We have welcomed around 2000 athletes with personalised gifts created by schoolchildren in Doha.
“This event does not only create opportunities for young people but it creates opportunities for people of all ages. Qatar is home to people from over 80 countries. So different communities are welcoming athletes from their home countries. We have made sure that everybody living in Qatar has an opportunity to their own athletes.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance,” Al Hamad said.
Al Hamad added: “I say thank you to the world for joining us for the biggest track and field event the region has ever seen. As you can see, I sit here with pride and a huge smile. I am not the only one smiling. There are tens of thousands with the same smile,” Al Hamad said.
“And the moment everybody was waiting for has arrived. The smiles we are seeing are of those from the sports clubs, communities across the country and business houses. Everybody has prepared to give a great image of the country,” he said.
To a question, Al Hamad said Qatar has no issues hosting athletes from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt - four countries that have put in place an illegal blockade.
“I am happy to tell you that everybody is welcome. Qatar never mixes sports with politics. I know athletes from the blockading countries are taking part in the championships. We welcome all athletes,” Al Hamad said.
“You know the history of Qatar when it comes to sports. We use sports to bring people together. I am sure this championships will unite all those who are here,” he said.
“We have a good partnership with IAAF since 1997. We have had season-finales. We have hosted Grands Prix. We have hosted IAAF World Indoor Championships in 2010.
“There were challenges but we showed the same resilience in overcoming those challenges. Qatar is determined to learn and take the next step. We are happy you are here to be part of the show. We are happy with ticket sales. This even is bigger than any event we have hosted. We seek new ways to unite everybody. I know many of you will be here in Qatar for the first time. I hope you take the time to be see our culture and experience our hospitality so you can go away with similes on your faces,” he added.
When asked about the ticket sales, Al Hamad said: “The last statistic I heard was only 5,000 tickets are remaining. This update is two days old. I am sure tickets will go away faster.”
