The Security Committee of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 continues preparations for the tournament at a fast pace, along other committees working within the Supreme Organising Committee.

The security teams in the Security Committee, consisting of the departments of the Ministry of Interior, are awaiting enormous tasks and challenges in a tournament that has gained its distinctive character from the standard global participation represented by 213 countries and more than 3,000 athletes competing in 24 disciplines.

During the tournament, three facilities will host events and competitions: Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar Sports Club, which is dedicated to the training of athletes participating in the tournament, as well as Doha Corniche, which witnesses various marathons.


Captain Saeed Juma al-Hitmi from the Establishments and Authorities Security Department and Director of Marathon Security at the tournament, said that the 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. The Security Committee has prepared for this event, which is being held for the first time in Qatar and the Middle East, he added.

Captain Al-Hitmi added that for the first time in athletics tournaments Doha Corniche is witnessing the first night marathon, which is an event of special interest to the International Association of Athletics Federations, and athletes race during the night on the opening day and immediately after the ceremony and under spotlights, and the Security Committee has developed a plan to secure marathons and walking competitions for men and women.

He stressed that the committee took all safety measures and security and evacuation plans according to well-studied standards, and these efforts come in coordination with all relevant parties to ensure success, which confirms the readiness of the State of Qatar to host all major sporting events.

He pointed out that Doha Corniche will witness some closures at specific times, for example on September 26, some streets to the Corniche will be closed from 6pm to 5am the next day, as well as on September 27.

He stressed that these closures do not affect the traffic movement and will not cause congestion, and there are alternative ways that can be used in times of closures, appealing to citizens and residents to cooperate with police to perform their task in maintaining security.

For his part, Captain Saeed Mansour al-Abdullah, from the Establishments and Authorities Security Department, coordinator of the media centre for the tournament, said that their mission is limited to secure the media centre and its annexes at Khalifa International Stadium, as well as those present inside the facility during the various sporting events and activities.

He appealed to everyone to cooperate with security and abide by the laws and regulations in force, stressing that the state has harnessed all the possibilities and facilities for the media to carry out their duties to the fullest.

He added that the Supreme Organising Committee expects the presence of large numbers of media representatives representing various international and local media, whether television stations, radio stations, newspapers or websites, and it is expected that about 2,500 media people will take part in the event. (QNA)

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