His Excellency the President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the organizing committee of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 said that Doha has hosted many continental and international events and tournaments for decades, making it a prominent place in the global sports arena.
Doha's cadres have acquired a variety of experiences in the organization of major tournaments, enabling it to become one of the most important sports capitals in the world, Sheikh Joaan underlined while addressing the opening ceremony of the IAAF World Athletics Championships yesterday.
He added that this is because of the importance of sport as one of the factors influencing the pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Qatar is welcoming today the world in this great forum, which emphasizes the role of sport in promoting the values of friendship and peace among peoples, and allows all to watch this 10-day big sporting event, in which the world's elite athletes are competing, he said.
سعادة الشيخ جوعان بن حمد : لقد شهدت مدينة الدوحة استضافة العديد من الأحداث والبطولات القارية والعالمية على مدى عقود من الزمن، جعلتها تتبوّأ مكانة متميزة في الساحة الرياضية العالمية، ومكنت كوادرها البشرية من اكتساب خبرات واسعة ومتنوعة في تنظيم كبرى البطولات pic.twitter.com/n6nC91wMTE
— Team Qatar (@qatar_olympic) September 27, 2019
Qatar began early preparations ever since it was announced as the host of the IAAF World Athletics Championships through the co-operation of all sectors, HE Sheikh Joaan said.
He mentioned that the mega event has been organized under the guidance of Qatar's leaders and officials to ensure the success of the tournament in the best manner that reflects the status of Qatar in global sports.
Thanks to the efforts of its citizens and residents of different nationalities, Doha has launched this major tournament, HE Sheikh Joaan noted.
Concluding his speech, he thanked all those who have collaborated with the organizing committee in preparing for this event, and thanked the volunteers for their response and dedication to the success of a championship that will remain in the memory of "our generations" an event with a message of "ambition without borders" from the Middle East to the world.
For his part, the President of the IAAF, Lord Sebastian Coe, said athletics is one of only two truly global sports and "we are proud to be the biggest single sporting event in 2019."
"I would like to thank our generous and gracious hosts His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for making available the resources and facilities of this city and country."
He also expressed gratitude toward HE Sheikh Joaan for his "support and consistent interest in our sport".
"Thank you also to Vice President Dahlan Al Hamad. You have put together a young, dynamic, talented team and you have guided them well. You are a great pride to the people of Qatar and you have brought great pride to our sport. Thank you!"
"As a fan, I appreciate the diligence, concentration, determination and dedication of the athletes that compete in our showcase event, The World Championships. As a Global sport President, I understand what it takes to deliver a world sports event and appreciate the enthusiasm and passion that we see time and again from the fans of our sport and everyone involved behind the scenes."
"Good luck to all the athletes who I know will give it their all. May you fulfill your potential and may all your dreams come true."
The 17th edition of the IAAF World Athletics Championships kicked off in Doha yesterday and will run until October 6.
More than 2000 track and field athletes from around the globe will face each other at the different events of the championships. A schedule of the events is available here.
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