IAAF President Lauds Qatar Athletics Federation

Doha, May 14 (QNA) - IAAF President Lamine Diack Thursday lauded Qatar Athletics Federation for its fine work ahead of the Diamond League starting here Friday. "Doha annually has had the honour to be the first competition of our global series, the 14 best invitational track and field meetings in the world. This is the sixth consecutive year I'm in Doha to support the start of the IAAF Diamond League," he said. Qatar hosted a very successful IAAF World Indoor Championships in 2010 and last November won the right to stage the 2019 IAAF World Championships so, in the build-up to those championships, the IAAF Diamond League is playing an important role in developing an understanding and passion for our sport in this region, he said. A star cast here is headed by global champions such as Allyson Felix, Mo Farah, Sanya Richards-Ross and Asbel Kiprop will make this event a memorable one, he said. In total 12 reigning Olympic champions and 11 current world champions will start their 2015 IAAF Diamond League campaigns underway in Doha. Including winners of global titles from before 2012, this meeting will feature 16 Olympic gold medallists and 26 world champions. "This year the IAAF Diamond League begins with a bang. Two meetings in Asia on the same weekend: here in Doha and then on Sunday in Shanghai," Diack said. This is my last year as president of the IAAF and as chairman of the Board of the Diamond League. I have no doubt that we have established a good platform on which my successor will be able to further enhance the global status, visibility and reach of the IAAF Diamond League, he added. (QNA)