Doha will be up against London, which is hoping to host the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) event at the 2012 Olympic Stadium, although Istanbul in Turkey and Rome in Italy have also been linked with a bid for the Championships. The IAAF has set a deadline of September 1 for bids to be submitted, and the host city will be announced in November.
“The main platform of the bid is to promote the sport around the world and help the IAAF develop athletics in new regions including the Gulf region, the Middle East and into central Asia,” read a statement from the Qatar Olympic Committee. Qatar, which was awarded the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December, staged the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships and the 2006 Asian Games.
Doha’s Khalifa Stadium, which is being renovated ahead of the World Cup in 11 years’ time, would be the destination of the 2017 World Championships if Qatar gets the go-ahead. Air conditioning systems are being installed at the venue, but it has been reported that the Qatar Olympic Committee would be keen to discuss the possibility of hosting the IAAF event outside of the summer months.
Beijing will stage the 2015 World Athletics Championships after ending up as the sole bidder following London’s withdrawal due to uncertainty over the future use of the 2012 Olympic Stadium. Barclays Premier League club West Ham United has since secured the anchor tenant rights to the venue after the Games, enabling London to renew its interest in holding the event.
