Doha Wins Right to Host 2019 IAAF World Championships

Monaco, November 18 (QNA) - Doha won the right to host the 2019 IAAF World Championships, the IAAF Council announced on Tuesday. Doha was selected by a vote of Council over Barcelona (ESP) and Eugene (USA) for the right to host the 17th edition of the IAAF World Championships. The voting was as follows: First round: Doha - 12, Eugene - 9, Barcelona - 6 (Barcelona was eliminated). Second round: Doha - 15, Eugene - 12. Last October, Doha hosted the IAAF Evaluation Commission for the 2019 World Championships of Athletics, chaired by IAAF vice-president Sebastian Coe. The delegation met HE Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and President of Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) Dahlan Al Hamad. The Commission's visit saw extensive presentations by the Doha 2019 Bid Committee and by the Bid's partners, including the Aspire Zone at Khalifa International Stadium and by Msheireb Properties at their Enrichment Center on Doha's pristine Corniche. There the Commission learnt more about Doha's plans to revolutionize the traditional concept of an Athletes' Village by offering the first ever 'Athletics City'. The Qatar Athletics Federation and the Qatar Olympic Committee on 25 September 2014 submitted their candidature for Doha to host the 2019 IAAF World Championships. They promise to combine their experience as tried and tested hosts of world-class events with sporting innovation to deliver a World Championships that will connect the world of athletics to an untapped market in a brand new region. (QNA)