HE the President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, Chairman of the organising committee of the 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, and enabling its cadres to acquire a variety of experiences in the organisation of major tournaments, thus enabling Doha to become one of the most important sports capitals in the world.
This is because of the importance of sport as one of the factors influencing the pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030, he added.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the IAAF World Athletics Championships, he said Qatar is welcoming today the world in this great forum, which emphasises 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.
Since the announcement of its hosting of the World Athletics Championship, Qatar started early preparation through the co-operation of all sectors in order to organise this big event, under the guidance of its leaders and officials in order to ensure the success of the tournament in the best manner that reflects the status of Qatar in the global sports, he added.
Thanks to the efforts of its citizens and residents of different nationalities, Doha has launched this major tournament, he stressed.
Concluding his speech, HE Sheikh Joaan thanked all those who have collaborated with the organising 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 International Association of Athletics Federations (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 extended his thank to 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 fulfil your potential and may all your dreams come true."
"My heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers and the organisers without whom an event like this one just simply could not be staged."
