Doha hosted leading athletes including Olympic, World and Continental champions in season’s third Diamond League Meeting, which took place at Qatar Sports Club’s the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium on Friday. The Qatari capital has been hosting major track and field competitions for more than two decades with sheer success and the latest event was no different.
Spectators again filled the stadium creating electrifying atmosphere as their favourites athletes performed at their best with eye on this summer’s Paris Olympics. Each of the 14 disciplines during the event produced thrilling contests as the meet saw four world leading performances and two meeting records. More than 150 athletes including reigning Olympic, world and Asian Games javelin champion Neeraj Chopra, 400m legend Steven Gardiner, pole vaulter Nina Kennedy and long jump maestro Miltiadis Tentoglou took part in the meet.
Chopra, who was edged out by Olympic and world medallist Czech Jakub Vadlejch, praised the crowd and expressed his delight on the support he received in Doha. “The support I am getting from the Indian people here in Qatar is always amazing, there aren’t words enough for me to thank them for their support.”
Indoor world champion Molly Caudery of Great Britain, who won the women’s pole vault, also relished her participation in Doha. “There was quite a strong wind, but we could handle it very well. Pole vault is about consistency, but I am really happy with the outcome.
This is my first time in Doha. It is a great atmosphere and I love it here.” Bahamian Gardiner – the winner of men’s 400m – echoed her views. “It is always nice to be here in Doha and I’m happy to be back after two years.”
Just a day before the Diamond League meet, elite high jumpers assembled at the picturesque Katara Amphitheatre to vie for top honours in the What Gravity Challenge – a unique competition that is a brainchild of Qatar’s Olympic hero Mutaz Barshim.
Apart from the reigning Olympic champion and three-time World Championship winner Barshim, USA’s Juvaughn Harrison, Sanghyeok Woo of South Korea and Central American champion Luis Castro of Puerto Rico were among the stars who took part in the event. Barshim won the inaugural title wowing home fans with his season’s best jump of 3.31m signaling he is on the right track to defend his Olympic title which he shared with Italian Gianmarco Tamberi at Tokyo Games. Following the fantastic athletics extravaganza, football fans will be in for a delightful treat this week with thrilling action as the Amir Cup quarter-finals are set to take place this week.
