(MENAFN- The Peninsula) An official delegation representing the Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) and Qatar Olympic Committee have returned, invigorated and ready to launch a successful bid to host the 2019 edition of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Athletics Championships following a seminar in Monaco organised for candidate cities.
The occasion which marks a major milestone in the process to decide the host of the prestigious 2019 championships was held at the headquarters of the IAAF and saw the Doha delegation led by Mohammed Al Kuwari, General Secretary, QAF, joined by officials from the rival candidate cities of Barcelona (Spain) and Eugene (United States of America).
Over the course of a two-day workshop, the IAAF presented the three candidate cities with all necessary details and requirements to organise what is considered to be the third-largest sports event in the world, with officials given the opportunity to gain the information needed to prepare a successful bid submission.
The world's governing body for athletics advised candidate cities of the size, scale and status of the showpiece IAAF World Championships which gather approximately 3000 of the best athletes from more than 200 countries over nine consecutive days of world-class sporting action in the same city.
As a result hosts were reminded of the need to be readyto accommodate 10,000 officials and volunteers, 3000 accredited broadcasters and media, and ensure that 47 athletics events are organised in such a way as to guarantee top performances which will then be broadcast worldwide to an audience of more than six billion people.
Following the Monaco seminar, Dahlan Jumaan Al Hamad, Vice President of the IAAF and President of the QAF, said:
"Over many years of working together as trusted partners the QAF and IAAF have developed a strong collaboration through the successful staging of major international athletics events in Qatar including the annual Doha IAAF Diamond League, the 2010 World Indoor Athletics Championships and the 2006 Asian Games. Together many strides have been taken to advance athletics in Asia and across the Middle East but the ambition to host the IAAF World Championship in 2019 in Doha is a natural next step.
"The IAAF is already very familiar with Qatar's long-term commitment to developing the sport of athletics and has firsthand experience of Qatar's existing world-class facilities for athletes, officials and fans, our modern infrastructure and warm hospitality.
Having attended the Monaco event for candidate cities Mohammed Al Kuwari, General Secretary, QAF said:
"The bid committee of Doha 2019 for the IAAF World Championships was delighted to attend the seminar organised by the IAAF, who extended unlimited support to all the bidders in the preparations of their applications.
"The Doha 2019 bid comes in times that new opportunities and innovation are an obvious opportunity for athletics to grow as an elite and truly global sport that it deserves to be. The valuable learnings from the two-day seminar will be reflected in the Doha 2019 application extending an even stronger partnership to the IAAF."
IAAF General Secretary Essar Gabriel said: "The IAAF is proud and excited to have three excellent cities € Doha, Barcelona and Eugene € teaming up with our federations coming from three continents joining us on this journey to select the host for the 2019 World Championships, the most important athletics competition in the IAAF calendar.
"We now expect each candidate to return home to digest the information received over the last two days and get back to us with their fully detailed bid file by the 25 September 2014."
Following the bid submission to the IAAF on September 25 each candidate will receive an official visit by an IAAF Evaluation Commission in October.
The final decision regarding the host city will be taken by the IAAF Council at its meeting in Monaco on November 20, 2014, following presentations from candidate citiesy.
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