Test event gives IPC confidence in Doha 2015’s success

Following a visit of the host site for the IPC Athletics World Championships between 12-14 September, the visiting delegation left confident that October’s event will be successful.

The Doha 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships will be held 21-31 October in Qatar, and the IPC Athletics delegation were at the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) Para-Athletics Championships, which are serving as a test event for the World Championships.

“We have been able to witness a lot of functional areas that are going to be in operation during the World Championships and from what we have seen, we are sure that the World Championships in a few weeks’ time will be very successful,” Ryan Montgomery, Head of IPC Athletics, said after the test event. “We came here with a number of questions and those questions were answered fully and successfully and we have left very, very happy.

These World Championships are going to allow the Paralympic Movement to expand into a new region and reach new levels.”

The GCC Para-Athletics Championships (12-15 September) gave the Doha 2015 Organising Committee an opportunity to test operational procedures and functions in order to ensure they are prepared for the World Championships. Areas that have been successfully tested include Hamad International Airport’s ability to handle an increased flow of passengers with an impairment across all areas of the airport; accessibility of buses and transport load zones for wheelchair users; and the implementation of structural modifications to the Qatar Sports Club and official Championship hotels, which have ensured that they are fully accessible to all.

“All operational tests have gone smoothly and to plan during the GCC Para-Athletics Championships indicating that we are fully prepared to host a World Championships in October that will be organised to the highest possible standards,” said Ameer al-Mulla, CEO of Doha 2015. “Furthermore, the accessibility modifications and improvements that have been made to venues and facilities across Qatar are a significant legacy that will be left behind long after the World Championships have finished.”

Six countries are participating in the GCC Para-Athletics Championships, which are running at Qatar Sports Club, including hosts Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. Organised by the GCC Organising Committee for Sports of the Disabled, the Championships aim to create new platforms for regional athletes.

“By hosting GCC-wide para-sport events, our coaches and technical officials have gained valuable experience that enables them to classify athletes instead of having to send them abroad for classification,” said Jassim Hassan Mubarak, Secretary General of the GCC Organising Committee for Sports of the Disabled.

At the GCC Para-Athletics Championships, Qatar’s Abdelrahman Abdelqader broke the world record in the shot put F34, and Kuwait’s Ahmed al-Mutairi set a new world record in the 100m T33. The action also saw UAE’s London 2012 Paralympic champion Mohammed al-Hammadi win the 100m and 200m T34, and Saudi Arabia’s London 2012 silver medallist Hani al-Nahkli take gold in the discus T34.

“The GCC Para-Athletics Championships is my last competition before the World Championships and I feel that I am well prepared and in good form,” Abdelqader said.