(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Fawad Hussain I The Peninsula
Doha: Qatar is set to open the IAAF Diamond League season for the ninth consecutive year with 17 reigning world and Olympic champions and several promising athletes ready to vie for top honours in Doha today.
With a stellar line-up vowing to give its best, the Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) has promised to host the best-ever meeting at Qatar Sports Club, which will be expecting a full-house.
Qatar's high-jumper Mutaz Barshim the 2017 World Champion, Diamond League Champion and World Athlete-of-the-Year is leading an array of superstars which also includes reigning Olympic, World, European and Diamond League
Champion Katerina Stefanidi of Greece, two-time Olympic Champion, three-time World Champion and six-time Diamond League Champion Christian Taylor of the USA, Doha Diamond League record holder in the 3,000m Hellen Obiri of Kenya, and reigning Olympic Champion Thomas Rohler of Germany.
Like the last year, all the aforementioned athletes assembled at City Center Mall yesterday for the pre-event press conference which was also open to public.
The athletes and public were also welcomed by President of the Qatar Athletics Federation and Doha Diamond League meeting organiser, Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, and Oceania Athletics Association President and IAAF Executive Board, Geoff Gardner.
The press conference for the first time was hosted by athlete MCs Jenny Simpson of the USA - the reigning 1500m World silver medallist and Olympic bronze medallist, and 200m sprinter Nathaneel Mitchell-Blake from Great Britain, who is the World 4x100m Champion and U20 Champion in the 200m from 2013. The unique press conference attracted many fans who were amazed to witness their favourite superstars.
'I am super excited to start the season after an amazing 2017 in which I won everything, Barshim said during the event.
'This year, I will be focusing on the Diamond League and yes, the world record will be in my mind, the 26-year-old who has recorded second highest jump in the history with a leap of 2.43m, just behind Cuban Javier Sotomayor's mark of 2.45 m.
Germany's Rohler, who threw a stunning 93.90m in last year's edition in Doha, said he can throw even farthest.
'The 100m mark is going to be a difficult because it's just the start of the season and a lot of aspects come into count in javelin. But I am looking for my best show. Yes, I believe I can throw farther. The only question is when and where.
America's triple jump champion - who will renew rivalry with Cuban-born Pedro Pablo Pichardo today - said he was itching for action on the field.
'I will compete for the victory. It's going to be a very good competition and I am looking forward to it, he said.
Pole vaulter Stefanidi said she was hoping for a special performance to start season on a high note.
'I love competing in Doha. We come here after a rest and always look to give our best, she said.
'I am ready and confident. I will compete for the victory, he said.
There will be a plenty to cheer for home fans as a total of 16 Qatari athletes will also be taking part in various competitions. Apart from Barshim, outstanding performances can be expected from Abdellelah Haroun - the 2017 World bronze medallist in the 400m, Abderrahaman Samba, who recently ran a World-lead time of 47.89 in the 400m hurdles, and Ahmed Bader, who is the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games Champion in the javelin.
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