The Organizing Committee of the 2020 Wanda Doha Diamond League, the fourth round of the Diamond League, announced full readiness to host the international sporting event scheduled to be held on Friday evening, with the participation of a large number of champions on the field and track of the Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium in Qatar Sports Club.

At a press conference held by the committee Tuesday, HE President of Qatar Athletics Federation and Chairman of the Organizing Committee Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman al-Kuwari affirmed that the preparations for this exceptional event, which will take place in light of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis, have been completed and with no public attendance. He pointed out that the organizing committee accepted this challenge and cooperated with all concerned agencies and the Ministry of Public Health to put in place all appropriate precautionary measures in order to ensure the success of the tournament as done every year.

Organizing the championship at this time confirms to the whole world the extent of Qatar's ability to host international events even in the most difficult circumstances, given its advanced health system and great organizational capacity as recongised by all, he added.

Dr al-Kuwari stressed that hosting this Doha Diamond League round will be the first and last in the Middle East region this year, and confirms the confidence of the world's champions in the measures taken by Qatar to ensure the safety of everyone and ensure the success of the global event. It also sends messages to the world that the global capital of sport always meets the expectations of athletes around the world in all circumstances.

The President of Qatar Athletics Federation thanked all state agencies and the Ministry of Public Health for the contribution and co-operation to host this global event after it was postponed several times this year due to the epidemic that is affecting the whole world, but they are committed to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), and it was agreed with them on September 25. He pointed out that this championship is the tenth edition that is successfully organized by the Athletics Federation annually.

For his part, Advisor Consultant to the Minister of Public Health Dr Abdul Wahab al-Musleh affirmed that Qatar possesses capabilities in the field of health that qualify it to confront diseases, and because it has become a global hub for hosting international sporting events, exceptional measures have been taken at the highest level through the protocol of the Ministry of Public Health to achieve the required safety and ensure success in the championship.

He pointed out that coordination has been made with the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Qatar Athletics Federation and a special protocol has been drawn up for such tournaments, stressing that the Qatari Federation and the organizing committee of the tournament have implemented all precautionary measures. Those arrived in the country were put in the hotel quarantine and have been examined and will also be examined before they go out to participate in the competitions on Friday to make sure that everyone is free from Covid-19, and it was agreed with the organizing committee that the participating champions will not leave the hotel except when they go to the stadium of the Qatar Sports Club that will host the competitions, whether to conduct exercises or participate in competitions.

For his part, tournament director Khalid al-Marri affirmed that the Doha Diamond League meeting this year comes at a very delicate timing, indicating that it was held annually on the first of May and at the beginning of the Diamond League rounds, but it was postponed this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. He added that the Doha edition is only fourth and last round this year of more than 14 rounds that were supposed to be held around the world.

Al-Marri explained that this year's edition will see the participation of 117 athletes and runners, including 10 medalists of the Olympic Games (Rio 2016) and 17 medalists of the last World Athletics Championships (Doha 2019).

Regarding the Qatari participation in the championship, al-Marri said that Musab Abdul Rahman and Hamza Darwish will participate in the 1500-meter main race, while Mohammed al-Qarni and Yasser Baghrab will participate in the 1500-meter race (B). Abdulaziz Salem will participate in the 200-meter race and Jamal Hayran, the Asian champion, will take part in the 800-meter race.

On the most prominent world and Olympic champions who will participate in the championship, al-Marri said that the Jamaican Elaine Thompson, Olympic champion in sprints on two occasions, tops the list of stars participating in the women's 100 meters race.

The list of stars participating in this race includes Dutch Olympic silver medalist Dafne Schippers and Ivorian Marie-Josee Talou, who won many medals at the World Championships.

Thompson's season's best of 10.88 set in Kingston on 8 August is the second fastest of the year to date. She will race outside of Jamaica for the first time in 2020 when she lines up in Doha. 

Talou finished third in the 100m at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, but was second in London 2017 - behind the dominant Schippers - in a National Record (22.08). She was also runner-up in the 100m, this time to the USAs Tori Bowie, with Schippers in third. 

Schippers will make her season's debut over 100m in Doha while Talou will be looking to build on her Wanda Diamond League performances in Monaco and Stockholm where she finished fourth (11.39) and third (11.32) respectively.

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