Lord Sebastian Coe, President of the IAAF, praised the great support Qatar’s wise leadership gives to world athletics. Opening a joint press conference with Major General Al Hamad, President of the Qatar and Asian Athletics Federations, he said: “The Diamond League has achieved a great deal since it was launched in March 2009. It’s the most lucrative competition system in athletics for the athletes, with total prize money exceeding eight million dollars. The Diamond League meetings are also broadcast every year to more than 120 countries, giving athletics its greatest exposure and following outside the major global championships.”
As such, the Diamond League system reflects a way for athletics to keep evolving so that it can continue to attract new participants and new fans.
He added: “Athletics began in ancient times, and it has flourished and evolved over thousands of years thanks to its ability to grow and adapt.”
Praise for the support of Qatar’s leadership
Lord Coe, President of the IAAF, praised the efforts of Qatar’s leadership and officials in achieving organisational and technical success for athletics championships at every level, and thanked HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee. He said Qatar’s vision was clear in its attention to sport in general and athletics in particular, noting that he had met the Minister of Youth and Sports and been briefed on the Qatari government’s vision for sport and athletics. He praised Major General Al Hamad’s efforts in developing the sport and spreading its culture through various athletics championships that promote the sport across the region, noting that Qatar is the only country in the Middle East to host Diamond League meetings, and the second on the continent to do so after Shanghai.
A great opportunity for the champions
The IAAF president said Doha offers world champions a great opportunity to perform at their best in an Olympic year, predicting that the ten Diamond League meetings before the Rio Olympics would produce a strong showing for athletics in this year’s biggest challenge, adding that they always strive to make Diamond League meetings stronger and more exciting.
