Arabic version: تأجيل دوري الماس في الدوحة بسبب مخاوف السلامة الإقليمية
According to Al Jazeera,
World Athletics has postponed its season-opening event in Qatar’s capital, Doha, due to concerns for “player and spectator safety” as the US-Israel war on Iran continues to affect the Middle East. The Doha Diamond League has been rescheduled from May 8 to June 19, conditional on the safety and security situation in the region, World Athletics said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Diamond League has been closely monitoring the situation in Doha and is coordinating with meeting organizers, Qatari authorities, and other stakeholders. While Iran and the United States accepted a two-week ceasefire deal mediated by Pakistan, Gulf states have reported missile and drone attacks on their territories, indicating ongoing regional instability.
Qatar’s Ministry of Defence confirmed on Wednesday that it intercepted a missile attack shortly before the ceasefire announcement. The organizers of the Doha Diamond League expressed their commitment to delivering a safe and secure competition for athletes, media, and spectators.
Originally scheduled to take place at the Qatar Sports Club, the event will now be held at the Khalifa International Stadium, a venue known for its temperature regulation and air cooling features. The stadium previously hosted the World Athletics Championships in 2019 and was one of the FIFA World Cup 2022 venues in Qatar. The rescheduled event will now occur between the Bislett Games in Oslo on June 10 and the Meeting de Paris on June 28, marking it as the eighth leg of the 2026 season.
