DOHA - The Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) was awarded at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco on Monday evening for best organization for Diamond League 2023 season from among 14 host cities of the athletics meeting series.
Qatar Athletics Federation announced on its official account on “X” about Doha and QAF having being recognized at the annual awards event in Monaco. “The distinction of the Doha Diamond League Round and its achievement of first place came after it met all the standards for organization and other logistical matters in addition to the media and spectator facilities,” it said.
The Wanda Diamond League is athletics’ premier one-day series. The competition encompasses 15 of the sport’s most prestigious one-day meetings, with men and women competing in 16 of its primary disciplines.
Athletes compete for points at 14 series meetings from May to September,
The Doha Diamond League 2023 round was held on May 5, 2023 at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium and saw the participation of 180 male and female athletes representing 80 countries.
The Qatar Athletics Federation applied the highest standards of quality and sustainability for the opening leg of the Wanda Diamond League series in Doha implementing sustainable management methods and providing accessible infrastructure and services for fans with disabilities.
The season-opening Doha leg achieved a distinguished organizational and technical success while also witnessing eight new records in the 100m hurdles, 3000m steeplechase, 1,500m, pole vault (women), 800m, and the men’s javelin throw events. A large audience of 12,000 attended the more than 3 hours-long series opener.
Mohammed Issa Al Fadala, President of the Qatar Athletics Federation, expressed his delight at QAF winning the award for the best organization of the Diamond League 2023 among all in the world.
Al Fadala said, “This exceptional tour, which also witnessed QAF obtaining the ISO certification last May for a sustainable event management system, confirms the excellence of Qatar in organizing international sports events.
He added: “We are proud of this new achievement which is an international recognition for the efforts made by Qatar in organizing events by focusing and ensuring the highest international standards in planning, management and legacy.”
While Doha hosted the 2023 Diamond League opener, the final leg was held in Eugene (USA). The other legs were held in Rabat (Morocco), Rome (Italy), Paris (France), Oslo (Norway), Lausanne (Switzerland), Stockholm (Sweden), Silesia (Poland), Monaco, London (Britain), Shanghai and Shenzhen (China), Zurich (Switzerland) and Brussels (Belgium).
Kipyegon, Duplantis and Rojas named World Athletes of the Year , Meanwhile, three 2023 Wanda Diamond League champions - Faith Kipyegon, Mondo Duplantis and Yulimar Rojas - were crowned World Athletes of the Year at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco.
Kipyegon, Duplantis and Rojas all added another Diamond Trophy to their growing collection in 2023, while Kipyegon and Duplantis also broke world records in their chosen disciplines.
Kenyan distance legend Kipyegon made Wanda Diamond League history in mid-season when she broke three different world records in the space of just six weeks.
After breaking the 1500m world record with 3:49.11 in Florence, Kipyegon went on to clock 14:05.20 in the 5000m in Paris and 4:07.64 in the mile in Monaco. The performances made her the first athlete ever to break more than one world record in a single Diamond League season.
Kipyegon cruised to a comfortable 1500m victory at the Wanda Diamond League Final in Eugene to claim her the fourth Diamond League title of her career and round off a breathtaking season.
Swedish pole vault star Duplantis also broke a world record, clearing 6.23m at the first attempt at the Wanda Diamond League Final in Eugene.
Venezuelan triple jump ace Yulimar Rojas also claimed her third Diamond Trophy in 2023, winning four of the six Diamond League competitions and wrapping up the title comfortably with a world lead of 15.35m in Eugene.