Dutch sprinter Dafne Schippers, who won the 200m world title last summer with an outstanding time of 21.63s, expressed her great happiness at her first visit to Doha and her participation in the opening leg of the Diamond League. “I’m delighted to start my season here in Doha, competing against world-class athletes,” she said.
Schippers said she was impressed by the organisation and the stadium, describing the atmosphere as outstanding.
She said she was fully focused and looking forward to a strong start, especially with the Olympics just around the corner.
Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown
Star Jamaican sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown said she was physically and technically ready to deliver a strong performance at the Doha meeting and please her fans.
Campbell-Brown said: “I have a strong desire to achieve more success and more accomplishments.”
She added: “When I feel that I’m an inspiration to young people and a role model for them, I try even harder and always strive to live up to their expectations. I feel truly blessed by God through this sport.”
Asked which event she would have chosen besides the 100m or 200m, Campbell-Brown said it might have been the long jump, but she was happy with her specialty and always tries to focus on it to achieve the successes she hopes for.
American Christian Taylor
American world and Olympic triple jump champion Christian Taylor said he was delighted to be back in Qatar, noting that on every visit he discovers something new and thoroughly enjoys his time here.
He added: “Qatar is very dear to my heart – it’s where I won for the first time and cleared the 18-metre mark. I want to keep jumping further to please my fans around the world.”
Taylor said: “Away from the track, I’ve loved the sand dunes in Qatar, and that gets me really excited and ready to compete at my best in the opening Diamond League meeting in Doha, which will be an important indicator of my readiness for the Olympics.”
He added: “On the track, the biggest impression I want to leave is scoring points – I’m always chasing the podium and gold, that’s my great passion, and I want to compete hard here on one of the best tracks in the world.”
