QOC
The 23rd Asian Athletics Championships began yesterday at the Khalifa International Stadium, seeing the first of Qatar's hopefuls state their claim on the 186 medals on offer.
HE Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) announced the championships open.
The opening ceremony was attended by the QOC Second Vice President HE Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari and the QOC Secretary General HE Jassim Al-Buenain.
From his opening speech, Dahlan Al Hamad, Dahlan Al Hamad, LOC chairman, newly-reelected President of the Asian Athletics Association and Vice President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said: “The championship takes place under ideal conditions thanks to the advanced and ground-breaking cooling technology that Khalifa International Stadium provides, which keeps temperature at an optimal 24 degrees all the time, helping athletes to perform at their best and focus on the sport.
“Besides my continental and international duties, I'm a Qatari citizen first and foremost, which makes me extremely proud to witness such moments when Doha, as a capital for sport and a destination for athletes, brings the world together." He added.