The Peninsula
The arrival of some of the world’s best beach athletes is generating considerable excitement in the Qatari capital ahead of the first-ever ANOC World Beach Games.
Athletes will continue to arrive at the Athletes’ Village, located in the Ezdan Hotel, over the coming days ahead of the start of the Games later this week.
On October 12, the opening ceremony will mark the official start of the Games, with competitions running until October 16. The first day of competition begins the day before the official opening, on October 11.
Over 1,200 athletes from 97 countries will compete in 14 disciplines across 13 sports, with all 5 continents represented. There will be 35 countries from Europe represented, 21 from Asia, 19 from the Americas, 17 from Africa and 5 from Oceania.
The competition programme for the Games includes a dynamic mix of beach, water and action sports, with 3×3 basketball, kitefoil racing, open water swimming (5km), aquathlon, karate individual kata, beach wrestling, beach tennis, beach soccer, beach handball, beach volleyball, bouldering, skateboarding, waterski jump and wakeboard all expecting world-class fields.
ANOC Secretary-General Gunilla Lindberg, said: “The arrival of some of the best beach athletes in the world has created a new level of excitement for the Games. It is now only a matter of days until the start of the Games and the sense of anticipation and enthusiasm amongst all stakeholders is palpable.
“The Games are connecting NOCs with an entirely new set of elite national athletes and providing a global platform to connect these new stars and new sports with a new generation of sports fans. I would like to wish the best of luck to all athletes, coaches and officials involved in the Games.”
Fans will be able to watch live streaming of competitions on the official website – www.awbgqatar.com – launched for the inaugural event.
The ANOC XXIV General Assembly will immediately follow the Games, with more than 1,000 delegates expected to attend the annual gathering.
The General Assembly will take place at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel from October 17 to 18.