The schedule for the IAAF World Championships Doha 2019 was unveiled with a new format that will enable spectators have an exciting and engaging event experience. Details of its first-ever midnight marathon were also revealed, including details of the venue that will showcase the event like never before.
A revamp to the competition schedule sees all morning sessions removed and split evening sessions introduced for the first time. One-hour intervals are also incorporated into each session to combine entertainment and family-centred activities with the excitement of the competitive action, engaging all ages and interests through athletics.
Vice Chairman and Director General of the Local Organising Committee, and IAAF Vice President, Dahlan Al Hamad, said they want to organise an innovative, creative and exciting event that will inspire and engage new fans, new athletes and new audiences, and maximise the full potential of the region’s first-ever IAAF World Championships.
We are very excited to unveil, in partnership with the IAAF, the new competition schedule and night marathon format. These will enable us to showcase the sport and capture the attention of young people in Qatar and around the world, and connect them to the contagious excitement of athletics.
Progress is fully on track and we look forward to combining our passion for athletics, our experience and knowledge of hosting major athletics events, and our warm hospitality and rich culture to organise a memorable World Championships. We can’t wait to welcome the world to Doha in 2019.’
Midnight Marathon
The midnight marathon will take place along the Corniche with the city skyline as backdrop. Lights along the entire route will bring the full marathon to life with spectators enjoying family-friendly activities to give the event a festive atmosphere.
Further progress has also been made with the renovation of Khalifa International Stadium, which has been transformed into one of the most technologically advanced stadium in the world. The stadium has been certified by the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) and has LED lighting, digital floodlights and air-conditioning technology that will provide optimal conditions for athletes and spectators. Working with light and stage designers will also allow a fully integrated state-of-the-art video screens and stage designs.
The stadium, which lies at the heart of Aspire Park, was fully and successfully tested for the Emir Cup Final in 2017 and will be utilised ahead of the World Championships with the 2019 Doha Diamond League and the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships, which will be the official test event for the World Championships.
The IAAF World Championships Doha 2019 will also be on a Mondotrack WS surface and for the first time, the colour chosen for the track is pink. This enabled MONDO to personalise its prefabricated surface to match the look and feel of the event, while assuring its traditional uniform biomechanical response all over the track surface.
International Athletics Events Host for 21 years
Qatar has been hosting international athletics events for over 21 years from the first-ever IAAF Grand Prix in 1997, which later became the Doha Diamond League in 2010 and this year is celebrating its ninth edition, in addition to the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships. Qatar won its first major medal in athletics at the Barcelona 92 Olympic Games with Mohamed Suleiman taking bronze in the 1500m. Since then, Qatar’s strength and depth on the global stage has continued to grow.
Last year, the nation’s sporting legend Mutaz Barshim won the coveted IAAF World Athlete of the Year award after becoming the first high jumper in 2004, undefeated for a whole season, including winning the 2017 IAAF World Championships and Diamond League Trophy.
