Seven reigning Olympic champions and a host of Olympic and world medallists are set to compete in Doha, where six world leading performances, three meeting records, and six area and national records were set 12 months ago. Event highlights include the men’s pole vault, high jump, 400m hurdles, 200m and the women’s 200m.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, Qatar Athletic Federation (QAF) President Mohamed al-Fadhala said: “We are delighted that the competition is returning back to its pre-pandemic era. The Doha Diamond League is one of the best attended sporting events not only in Qatar but the entire region, and it gladdens my heart that the fans are excited to witness another night of amazing athletics action on the track and field of the Qatar Sports Club.”
Fadhala noted that the last edition of the competition was adjudged the best in the Diamond League series, and that the organising committee has put everything in place to ensure that this year’s event surpasses all the previous editions in all ramifications.
“Aside from organising the best in the series, it is our belief that the competition will also provide opportunities for young Qatari athletes to garner the much-needed experience which will further enhance their chances of competing in top-level competitions, including the World Championships,” the QAF president added.
More than 170 athletes from about 50 countries are participating in the event, which has Ooredoo as its Title Sponsor. Joint Olympic high jump champions Mutaz Barshim of Qatar and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi – who shared one of the greatest sporting moments of all time when they topped the podium in Tokyo – will reunite in competition in Doha. Also on the cards are Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis, Olympic pole vault champion and world record holder, who will kick off his outdoor campaign in the Qatari capital, as well as Olympic 200m champion Andre De Grasse of Canada, who will take on world champion Noah Lyles and Olympic 100m silver medallist Fred Kerley of USA in a star-studded men’s 200m, among others.
“We are delighted to be the Title Sponsor of the Doha edition of the Diamond League. Ooredoo is a company that is passionate about sports, and we have a long history of exciting partnerships with the Qatar Olympic Committee. We are always ready to lend our support to sports development in Qatar and the Doha Diamond League ranks high in this regard. We look forward to another great event on Friday,” Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari, Director of PR at Ooredoo Qatar, said.
The 2022 Diamond League comprises 14 meetings in total, starting with Doha at the Qatar Sports Club and concluding with a single final across two days in Zurich (7-8 September).
Qatari athletes pose with officials yesterday.
