19.08.2008
Athletics officials visit Doha
A delegation from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has praised Qatar’s preparations for the 2010 World Indoor Athletics Championships.
The IAAF officials, who were in Qatar to examine the technical and administrative preparations for the event, included Mr Pierefese, secretary general of IAAF, and Mr Hanz George, President of the European Athletics Association.
The delegation visited the Qatar Olympic Committee and met its Secretary General Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani who told them of Qatar’s interest and willingness to host international sports events.
They also met officials from the Qatar Athletics Association to discuss technical and administrative procedures and issues such as accommodation, transport, budgets, and international broadcasting.
At the end of their visit, the IAAF delegates expressed their admiration and satisfaction with the Qatari technical experts.
The delegates also admired the Aspire Dome, where the event will be held. They examined the Aspire halls and main stadium as well as the screens on which results are displayed. The delegates also visited the in-house specialised hospital to view the state-of-the-art medical equipment.
The Aspire Dome, the world’s largest indoor sports facility, recently won silver medal at the 20th International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) Congress in Cologne.