Doha Diamond League meet hangs in balance amid Middle East conflict

Doha Diamond League meet hangs in balance amid Middle East conflict

Bahrain's Winfred Yavi (L) and Kenya's Faith Cherotich compete in the women's 3000m hurdles event of the Oslo Diamond League Bislett Games 2025 at Bislett Stadium in Oslo, Norway on June 12, 2025. (Photo by Fredrik Varfjell / NTB / AFP) / NORWAY OUT

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The opening meet of the Diamond League season in the Qatari capital of Doha is scheduled to go ahead as planned on May 8 despite the war in the Middle East, organisers of the elite athletics circuit said Friday.

"The Diamond League continues to monitor the situation in Doha, working in close coordination with meeting organisers, the Qatar Athletics Federation, the relevant authorities in Qatar and World Athletics," they said in a statement.

"The safety of athletes and spectators is our primary concern, and we are also exploring alternative options with all stakeholders.

"A final decision will be made no later than a month before the scheduled date."

The Diamond League is the elite one-day meeting series in track and field, Doha opening a season that features 14 other meets in 13 different countries across four different continents.

Several major sporting events in the Middle East have been postponed or cancelled because of the war the United States and Israel launched on Iran, including the Formula One grands prix in Bahrain and Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia.

Both were scheduled for mid-April and have been cancelled.

In football, the Finalissima, which was to pit European champions Spain against Copa America winners Argentina on March 27 in Qatar, has also been cancelled.

The Qatar motorcycling Grand Prix, initially scheduled for the weekend of April 12, has been postponed to November 8, while a gymnastics World Cup event scheduled to take place in Doha in April was also cancelled.

However, Saturday's horse racing meeting in Dubai, carrying prize money of $30.5 million and featuring the Dubai World Cup, is going ahead.

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Doha Diamond League Iran Qatar US

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