All photos by Marium Saeed
Fans flooded the Qatar Sports Club last night to support their favorite athletes as the sixth season of the IAAF Diamond League kicked off in Doha.
The opening of the highly anticipated track and field tournament saw the smashing of several records, including a new personal best for US sprinter Justin Gatlin, who set a world-leading time of 9.74 seconds in the 100 meters.
Double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah also competed ferociously in the 3,000 meter race, but despite his huge fan base and impressive performance, the UK athlete came in second to Hagos Gebrhiwet, who achieved a world lead at 7:38.08.
Meanwhile, Allyson Felix secured her spot in first place in the women’s 200-meter race and also achieved a Diamond League record of 21.98.
Amid the big names, several emerging athletes like Jasmin Stowers wowed the crowd with their performances. Stowers took first place in the women’s 100-meter hurdle ahead of Olympic champion Sally Pearson, who came in fourth.
The Diamond League tournament consists of 14 meetings and 32 different disciplines.
In line with its increasing interest in hosting international sporting events, Doha staged the first ever Diamond League at Qatar Sports Club stadium in 2010.
During a recent press conference, Felix said:
“Qatar has hosted so many sports events in recent years, they are doing an amazing job. They are constantly building and introducing new innovations. Athletes always love to be here.”
The Doha leg has concluded and the next stop for this year’s league will be Shanghai, with the final meeting set to take place in Brussels on Sept. 11.
More results from the Doha meeting can be found online here.
Thoughts?
Just a pity that the facilities at the Qatar Sports Club for spectators are so poor – where are the catering facilities ? No where to purchase water or drinks despite the very hot evening… Other than that a very good evenings entertainment
This was a great afternoon and evening’s entertainment – and for the admission price it couldn’t be beaten. There were the usual mix-ups, mis-communication between organizers and security, and as Steve said, make the concession stands easier to get to. When we arrived they confiscated our water at the gate, even though I explained that we would be there for over 8 hours. When I went to try and buy some after an hour or two they returned 2 of my 3 bottles. Then when I walked half way around the stadium exterior to reach a concession stand I was blocked by a non-police security guard who had to get permission for me to enter from a uniformed police officer (who YELLED his ok to me), but we got some drinks so, all’s good. These things improve slightly each year but it would be so much better if they had clearly defined policies and better communication between all the staff. Still – it was a great event, a great (and peaceful) concert and we’ll be back next time!!!!!!
Were the spectators genuine, or the Tata bus brigade showed up?
There is one section with all black fans. They put them all together in one spot so I think this might be the TATA brigade you are talking about.
What do you mean ‘all black fans’? TATA brigade? And who put them together? Surely. What colour were the guys in the other sections? You ought to know that Ethiopian and Kenyan fans came out to support their athletes in droves. Nothing wrong with sitting together!
Genuine for 95%. There is a huge Ethiopian and Kenian expat community here who celebrate their heroes in distance running. Diamond League in Doha has the stadium feeling of a good football match with cheering crowds in Europe or South America. Definitely the best sporting event in Qatar!
Can’t speak for anyone else but we were genuine 🙂 Paid for the tix, had a blast!!!!!! Great concert afterwards as well……..
We didn’t go this year, after last years fiasco. Turned up with tickets to be told stadium full. Walked around the stadium and every gate crowded with people who had bought tickets trying to get in. Then a security guard said we could use this gate as we were a family. Had to fight through to get in. Once inside, the stadium was 2/3’s full. Tried to find some water to buy, were told could only buy outside stadium, if we left we wouldn’t be allowed back in. We let that go. We watched the athletics, it was good. Before the last events both my daughter and wife needed to go to the toilet. They came back saying all the toilets are outside and if they went they would not be allowed back in. So we left before the end. Outside there were riot police on the entrance gates. The money they must be paying the IAAF must be astronomical, for the IAAF to allow this shambles.
On a personal note Warren Gatlin should not be competing, banned TWICE for taking illegal peformance enhancing drugs, disgrace
Right, he’s a very bad example for sports!! But his first name is Justin.
Sorry about that. Totally got his name wrong, no excuses. Especially as I saw him at the Athens Olympics in 2004 obtain the 100m gold medal
Having seen Warren Gatlin lately I doubt if he could run 100m.
And still, they cannot get the basics right.
World Cup? You’re ‘avin’ a larrf.
Absolute disgrace that Gatlin should be allowed to compete. There should be no second chance for drug cheats.