Doha 2020 Olympic rejection 'will not curtail Qatar ambition'

The decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) not to shortlist Doha for the 2020 Games will not curtail the country's ambitions to become a regional and global sports hub, Qatari officials have said.

Speaking after the rejection of Doha's bid in favour of those of Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo last week, Qatar Olympic Committee General Secretary Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani stated "we will study the IOC report, reflect on its findings and take stock as part of our own reflections regarding our ambition to bring the Games to the Middle East for the first time."

Doha 2020 Chief Executive Noora Al Mannai (pictured) added in comments published by Qatar News Agency, "we are still committed to our sports legacy projects and to empowering women through sports. We are preparing to launch a national campaign to encourage youth to participate in sports, to improve their lifestyle and because we believe that sports has the power to break down barriers, regardless of the decisions made that are beyond our power."

Al Mannai said the Bid Committee had been disappointed, but added that for Doha the Olympics were always "a question of when, not if."

Al Mannai explained "with so many sports venues already in place and budgeted for, we felt that we offered the IOC great certainty and a low cost Games plan as well as an exciting legacy vision, especially around developing women's sport in the Middle East.

"The good news is that our National Vision and master plan guarantees an urban fabric that places sport at its heart; therefore Doha will be ready to host the Games whenever."

Al Mannai added that much of the legacy plans for 2020 will go on, adding that she looked forward to the 2024 race.

Doha had proposed to host the games between 2nd and 18th October to combat the soaring summer temperatures, but IOC officials cited concerns about the weather and conflicts with other sports events going on during that time of the time.

Although not mentioned by the IOC, Qatar's status as one of only three nations to have never previously sent a women's team to the Olympics was seen as an obstacle to its bid.

The Gulf nation has addressed that issue by sending three competitors to the London Olympics; in the women's air rifle competition, swimming and athletics.

Image: Qatar's Aspire Zone multi arena sports complex.

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