19.08.2008
A Message From Hassan Ali Bin Ali
Chairman, Doha 2016 Olympic Bid
I am extremely honoured to have been asked by Heir Apparent His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to take on the role of Chairman of the Doha 2016 Bid Committee.
I am also honoured by the support for our Bid from The Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani.
A lot has already changed in Qatar and in particular Doha, in the last 50 years. If we were granted the opportunity to stage the Olympics and Paralympics in 2016, it would not only allow us to further develop the city's infrastructure but also to use the power of peaceful sporting competition to create understanding, hope and change that could unite the entire region with the rest of the world.
Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Doha would bring the Olympic flame to the Arabic-speaking world for the first time, extending the Olympic ideals to millions of new hearts and minds.
Geographically we are in the centre of the world. We are no more than a few hours flight away from most countries in Asia, Europe and Australasia. That presents us with a unique opportunity to go out to the world and build bridges between people.
As Chairman of the Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs, a world class facility which provides comprehensive care and educational services to children with disabilities and special needs, I am also deeply committed to ensuring that the Doha 2016 Bid offers disabled sportmen and women the best ever Paralympic Games experience in history.
As part of our nationwide commitment to people with special needs, Doha is pressing ahead with plans to build the world's most advanced Paralympic Sports stadium and facilities, which will serve disabled sportsmen and women for generations to come.
The staging of the 2016 Olympics and Paralympic Games in Doha presents not only Qatar and the wider Arab region, but the entire world with a unique opportunity to witness positive change by embracing the spirit of unity so inherent in the Olympic movement.