19.08.2008
Top awards for Qatar’s Aspire Dome and Khalifa Stadium
DOHA - The Aspire Dome, the world’s largest indoor sports facility, received silver medal at the 20th International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) Congress in Cologne.
Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, attended the ceremony in Cologne, where he also received the bronze medal, which was awarded to the Khalifa Stadium.
Sheikh Saud gave the credit for the IOC awards to the support of the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and the Heir Apparent His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. “This new achievement is a source of pride for all sports fans in the Gulf, as Qatar was the only Arab state, which entered the IOC competition.”
Sheikh Saud added: “The high standard of architecture is one component among many that has contributed to Aspire’s international reputation. Gaining the silver medal further demonstrates the Academy’s emergence as a major landmark in the sporting world.”
The 2007 IOC/IAKS Award for Exemplary Sports and Leisure Facilities is organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS). The gold medal was won by Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, which hosted the 2006 FIFA World Cup final.
The IOC/IAKS Award is the only architecture award of international importance for existing sports and leisure facilities. This year, a total 88 entries from 27 countries participated in the competition.
The Aspire Dome is the world’s largest indoor sports facility, covering 290,000 square meters. It stands 46 meters high and seats 15,000 spectators. Dr Thomas Flock, Aspire’s Director General, said: “The facilities have become a fantastic symbol of the continuing growth of the region. These iconic buildings are also part of the attraction for the hundreds of visitors to the academy in recent months.”
The Asipre Dome and the Khalifa Stadium were used during the 15th Asian Games in Doha. The Khalifa Stadium staged the opening and closing ceremonies of the Asian Games besides hosting the athletics competitions.
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Note: For more information about Aspire, visit their website at www.aspire.qa