Doha has officially entered the race to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Qatari authorities announced on Tuesday, as the Gulf nation continues its push to attract major global sporting events and diversify its energy-reliant economy.

Qatar, one of the smallest and wealthiest countries in the region, previously hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup. If selected, it would become the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to host the Olympics.

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, said:

“The official bid submitted by the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games represents a new milestone in Qatar’s journey.”

He added:

“The bid builds on Qatar’s proven track record of successfully hosting major international sporting events, most notably the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”

Rights organizations including Amnesty International have alleged that thousands of migrant workers died in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup. Qatar, however, maintains that only 37 workers died on World Cup projects, and only three of those were work-related.

President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, emphasized the country’s readiness to host the Games.

“We have made sport a central pillar of our national strategy,” he said.

“We currently have 95 percent of the required sports infrastructure in place to host the Games, and we have a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100 percent readiness of all facilities.”

Unlike in the past, countries are no longer required to publicly announce their Olympic bids. With the 2024, 2028, and 2032 Olympics scheduled for Europe, North America, and Oceania respectively, the 2036 edition is widely expected to head to Asia or potentially Africa, which would mark a historic first.

Selecting the host for the 2036 Olympics will be the first major task for Kirsty Coventry, who last month became the first woman to lead the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

AFP