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Fatma Sultan al-Kuwari, CEO of the Doha 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid Committee, has highlighted Qatar’s ambition to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, emphasising the potential of the event to create a lasting legacy that extends beyond sports infrastructure and venues.Al-Kuwari said Qatar had strong reasons to pursue its ambition, pointing to the country’s experience in hosting major sporting events and the skills and knowledge gained through organising international competitions. In a post on Qatar International Media Office platform, she noted that the Doha 2036 bid is currently in the continuous dialogue phase, during which interested bidding entities explore their ambitions and determine when they intend to pursue hosting the Games.According to al-Kuwari, the legacy of hosting a major sporting event should not be measured solely by infrastructure or sporting facilities, but also by its impact on individuals and communities. She highlighted the opportunities such events create for young people to discover sports, volunteers to gain new knowledge and experience, and athletes to compete and achieve their first victories. “We want the Games to really transform every individual that lives in Qatar and in the region,” al-Kuwari said.She added that the proposed Games could demonstrate how sport and culture can inspire hope and drive positive change around the world. Reaffirming confidence in Qatar’s ability to deliver major international events, al-Kuwari said the country consistently fulfils its commitments.Qatar’s bid ambition reflects a broader vision of using the Olympic and Paralympic Games as a platform to encourage participation in sport, develop skills, empower communities and create a lasting legacy for future generations. 

Qatar's International Media Office has debunked claims that Qatar attempted to cultivate a relationship with Steve Witkoff through a lobbying programme, years in advance of his appointment to public office, including his later role as Middle East envoy.The International Media Office (IMO), in a statement said these claims are entirely false and so lacking in credibility that they can only be described as absurd.In response to false accusations carried by The New York Times, IMO said Qatari investment entities, both state and private, have maintained business relationships with Witkoff for many years, long before President Trump was elected."These accusations come from questionable sources and are intended to target Qatar and Witkoff as part of a coordinated effort to sow tension and division between Qatar and the United States, while undermining efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza. They serve the interests of bad actors who oppose the work our two countries are doing to advance international peace and stability."The New York Times chose to disregard key facts shared with them in order to manufacture a story - for example, that the hotel in question was not owned by Witkoff or his companies at the time of purchase."The IMO said Qatar always interacts with the United States government at an institutional level. "Our relations are built on decades of department-to-department co-operation across a range of shared interests, including diplomacy, security and economic partnership."Qatar's investment decisions are kept entirely separate from diplomacy. Strict governance ensures that one does not influence the other." The IMO said Qatar's investments in the United States are based strictly on long-term economic and financial criteria. "In cases where business and diplomatic interests overlap, safeguards are introduced to prevent any conflict of interest."