Latest news with #SheikhJoaan
Skift
6 days ago
- Sport
- Skift
Qatar Launches 2036 Olympics Bid
Qatar became the first Middle East nation to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, now it wants to be the first to host the Olympics as well. Qatar has officially joined the race to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, its latest push to establish itself as a global sports tourism hub. The Qatar Olympic Committee confirmed it is speaking with the International Olympic Committee, the first formal step in the Olympic host city selection process. 'We currently have 95% of the required sports infrastructure in place to host the [Olympic and Paralympic] Games, and we have a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100% readiness of all facilities,' said Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, president of the Qatar Olympic Committee. The Gulf nation hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup in 2024. If it wins the bid, Qatar would become the first country in the Middle East to host the Games. Saudi Arabia, a rival regional power, is set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Sports Tourism in Qatar The World Cup in 2022 was a huge tourism drive for Qatar: During the four-week tournament, Qatar drew approximately 1.4 million international football fans, while a total of 3.4 million spectators watched matches across the stadiums, which operated at an average capacity of 96.3% Alongside hosting the Middle East's inaugural FIFA World Cup, Qatar holds a controlling interest in Paris Saint-Germain, a soccer club in France. Furthermore, it secures a consistent place on the Formula 1 racing schedule through a decade-long agreement initiated in 2023. Qatar Tourism did not immediately respond to a request for comment. To spearhead the bid, Qatar formed a Bid Committee on Wednesday, led by Sheikh Joaan and vice-chaired by Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation. Qatar has steadily built its sporting credentials, hosting a growing roster of world championships and investing billions into venues and fan infrastructure. Other confirmed bids for the 2036 Games have come from Indonesia, Turkey, India, and Chile.
Independent Singapore
7 days ago
- Sport
- Independent Singapore
Qatar is showing interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Photo: Qatar has now shown its intention to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Recently, the country's Olympic committee announced that it is having 'ongoing discussions' with the International Olympic Committee on the issue. The QOC stated in a statement: 'This move underscores the State of Qatar's unwavering commitment to supporting the Olympic and Paralympic movements and its keen interest in playing an active role in the advancement of global sport.' Moreover, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the president of the QOC and chair of the bid committee, also declared: 'We currently have 95% of the required sports infrastructure in place to host the Games, and we have a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100% readiness of all facilities… This plan is rooted in a long-term vision aimed at building a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable legacy.' The president added: 'Our objective goes beyond simply organising a successful event, we aim to deliver a global experience that reinforces the values of inclusivity, sustainability, and international collaboration.' See also Twilight of a new era in global soccer business Qatar is not new to hosting international events. The country hosted the men's football World Cup in 2022. However, Qatar as hosts for the Olympic and Paralympic Games may face special considerations due to its weather conditions. Holding the Summer Games in the intense heat of the Middle East might be a challenge. A shift might be needed in the event's timeframe. For example, the 2022 World Cup took place in November and December instead of June and July as usual. 2026 Winter Olympics Updates Recently, the medals for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games were officially unveiled to the public in Venice, which is one of the host regions for the Games. Presented by Olympian Valentina Marchei, who leads the Ambassador Programme for Milano Cortina 2026, the design of the medals represents the coming together of Milan and Cortina, and celebrates the spirit of victory. Each medal is made of two halves joined by the Olympic and Paralympic values to represent the athlete's journey and honours everyone who stood by their side along the way. Raffaella Paniè, the Brand, Identity and Look of the Games Director for Milano Cortina 2026, declared that the medals embody 'the determination and passion of the world's greatest athletes, but also Olympic and Paralympic spirit.' The medals will be sustainable, made by the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS). The institute will be using recycled metal from their production waste and shape it in eco-friendly furnaces that work on renewable energy. Read more about the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic medals here. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
CNN
7 days ago
- Sport
- CNN
Qatar confirms talks over hosting 2036 Olympic Games
The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) said on Tuesday it was taking part in discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over the election process for the host city of the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The country, which hosted soccer's World Cup in 2022 and the Asian Cup in 2024, is the latest to join the race to stage the 2036 Games after confirmed bids from Indonesia, Turkey, India and Chile. Other Asian countries considering a bid include Saudi Arabia and South Korea. Egypt, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Denmark and Canada have also shown interest. 'We currently have 95% of the required sports infrastructure in place to host the Games, and we have a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100% readiness of all facilities,' Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, the president of QOC, told the state-run Qatar News Agency. 'This plan is rooted in a long-term vision aimed at building a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable legacy.' Qatar's capital Doha is set to host the Asian Games in 2030, having staged the event in 2006. A successful bid would make Qatar the first country in the Middle East to host the Olympics amid the region's growing influence over major sporting events. Saudi Arabia is set to hold the soccer World Cup in 2034.
CNN
7 days ago
- Sport
- CNN
Qatar confirms talks over hosting 2036 Olympic Games
Olympics The Middle East SoccerFacebookTweetLink Follow The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) said on Tuesday it was taking part in discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over the election process for the host city of the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The country, which hosted soccer's World Cup in 2022 and the Asian Cup in 2024, is the latest to join the race to stage the 2036 Games after confirmed bids from Indonesia, Turkey, India and Chile. Other Asian countries considering a bid include Saudi Arabia and South Korea. Egypt, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Denmark and Canada have also shown interest. 'We currently have 95% of the required sports infrastructure in place to host the Games, and we have a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100% readiness of all facilities,' Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, the president of QOC, told the state-run Qatar News Agency. 'This plan is rooted in a long-term vision aimed at building a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable legacy.' Qatar's capital Doha is set to host the Asian Games in 2030, having staged the event in 2006. A successful bid would make Qatar the first country in the Middle East to host the Olympics amid the region's growing influence over major sporting events. Saudi Arabia is set to hold the soccer World Cup in 2034.
CNN
23-07-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Qatar confirms talks over hosting 2036 Olympic Games
Olympics The Middle East SoccerFacebookTweetLink Follow The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) said on Tuesday it was taking part in discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over the election process for the host city of the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The country, which hosted soccer's World Cup in 2022 and the Asian Cup in 2024, is the latest to join the race to stage the 2036 Games after confirmed bids from Indonesia, Turkey, India and Chile. Other Asian countries considering a bid include Saudi Arabia and South Korea. Egypt, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Denmark and Canada have also shown interest. 'We currently have 95% of the required sports infrastructure in place to host the Games, and we have a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100% readiness of all facilities,' Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, the president of QOC, told the state-run Qatar News Agency. 'This plan is rooted in a long-term vision aimed at building a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable legacy.' Qatar's capital Doha is set to host the Asian Games in 2030, having staged the event in 2006. A successful bid would make Qatar the first country in the Middle East to host the Olympics amid the region's growing influence over major sporting events. Saudi Arabia is set to hold the soccer World Cup in 2034.
