2018 Worlds have delivered Qatar’s message of peace: Ali al-Hitmi

The 48th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018, the first-ever to be staged in the Middle East, has succeeded in delivering the message of peace and Qatar’s capabilities to the world, said Ali al-Hitmi, the Executive Director of the Organising Committee of Doha Worlds and President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation.“We would like to thank HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Organising Committee of Doha Worlds, for his full support.“The ten-day long Doha Worlds will conclude today with great success, and the flag of the championships as hosts shall be passed on to Germany, who will be the hosts for the 2019 edition to be held in Stuttgart.“We have succeeded in providing an exceptionally well organised event which has exceeded expectations and the specified criteria. We hope that we have set a new benchmark for Stuttgart to follow and to aim and achieve the standard.“We are thankful to all for the praise showered on the championships in Doha, whether it was the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) or from officials of the participating countries or even the athletes. The international accolades are proof of our success in delivering our message to the world that Qatar is a nation which believes in peace and safety of all. A capital destination for sport and is capable of hosting major international tournaments in the best possible way,” he added.Al-Hitmi also complimented his team for the top show. “The success of the tournament reflects the efforts made by the Organising Committee to deliver the championships in keeping with Qatar’s reputation of hosting top sporting events,” he said.On the closing ceremony, to be held today after the competitions are over, al-Hitmi said, “The closing ceremony will mark the handover of the flag, as well as a number of highlights, including a documentary about the event and what has been presented over the course of the days of the competition will mark the culmination of the World Championships in Doha.“We hope it would be fitting for what has been an exceptional event, one of pride and unique in many ways at the state-of-the-art Aspire Dome.”