Director of Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum to QNA: The New Museum is First of its Kind in Middle East, Second Globally in Terms of Area

Doha, March 30 (QNA) - Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum Abdulla Al Mulla confirmed that the new museum is the first of its kind in the Middle East, and the second globally in terms of area, pointing out that the idea of establishing the museum was inspired by Qatars organization of the 2006 Asian Games, specifically on Dec. 15 of the same year, according to the vision of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) Wednesday, the Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum expressed his great happiness at the approaching historical moment, as the opening tape will be cut tonight, stressing while the construction of this global edifice comes within the great interest of the Qatari leadership in sports and culture and their health impact on the development of society in its various sectors. Al Mulla said that the 3-2-1 Museum was built on one side of the Khalifa International Stadium, where a pedestrian walkway connects them and consists of two buildings: a main building that extends along one of the stadium's arches, and another round-shaped building connected to it inspired by the five Olympic rings. The museum also contains a studio for beIN Sports, a cafe and health restaurant, a publicly accessible library that is a sports reference and a center for the Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission of the International Olympic Committee. He pointed out that the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, along with Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, are the only two museums in the world that contain all the torches of the Olympic Games since their inception. The museum also includes interactive exhibitions, inspirational collections, and unique activities, and will also serve as a reference for information related to the history of the Olympics and Qatari sports, as it aims to document the history of various sports from its beginnings to the modern era. Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum added that the museum will be the latest national infrastructure in the State of Qatar, witnessing its great passion for sport and history, and our goal is to provide an exceptional educational and interactive journey that documents the importance of sport. Al Mulla explained that the museums galleries were keen to have Qatari sports present in its corridors, as part of the aspirations to make the Museum a witness to Qatar’s great passion for sports and its ambition to inspire Qatari society and push it to engage in physical activities and to be more enthusiastic and interested in sports. He added that they also research, collect and share the story of global and Qatari sports in an interactive, empowering and entertaining way, based on interest and investment in the human individual. The Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum stressed that this museum would prove to the world that sport is closely linked to the State of Qatar, as well as promoting the values of sport. The museum reviews the origins of sport culture inside and outside Qatar. The opening ceremony was prepared through the formation of an organizing committee headed by CEO of Qatar Museums Ahmad Al Namla, in partnership with several organizations, including: the Qatar Olympic Committee, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Qatar Football Association, and Aspire Academy. Several points were discussed to prepare for the ceremony, which coincides with the drawing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, as well as the convening of the FIFA Congress. Everyone is looking forward to this important event, which is an opportunity to be invited to visit the museum by the participating delegations to get acquainted with the museum's holdings, which are more than 1,200 pieces, in addition to interactive devices, various exhibition halls and temporary exhibitions, and a number of celebrities were invited to attend the opening ceremony, added Al Mulla. The Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum Abdulla Al Mulla revealed during his interview with QNA that the choice of Khalifa International Stadium to be the main headquarters of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum is due to the close connection between the museum and the Khalifa International Stadium, located within the vicinity of Aspire Zone, in addition to the eternal memories and the great tournaments hosted by this stadium, especially the fourth Gulf Cup in 1976. After, it was renewed on several occasions and the stadium became an important part of the history of Qatari sports, Al Mulla explained, adding that the stadium has a special place in the hearts of the masses in Qatar, noting that everyone knows that the basic idea for the establishment of the museum was inspired by the vision of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, on the sidelines of the opening of the 2006 Asian Games in Khalifa International Stadium. 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, which is a member of the Olympic Museums Network, will become one of the most innovative and technologically advanced museums dedicated to sports in the world and the largest in terms of area, with an area of 19,000 square meters, designed by Spanish architect Joan Sibina. The museum will take visitors on an inspiring and unforgettable journey through the history and legacy of sports around the world and the Olympic Games. 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum comprises seven gallery spaces housing objects from around the globe, from the origins of sports to the present day, namely: - World of Emotion, the first gallery space visitors will encounter, will serve as the Museums reception area and lobby. It provides an overview of the Museums themes and the central role of sports in Qatar. - A Global History of Sport, a journey through the history of sports across the globe from ancient to modern times. The gallery includes nearly 100 objects and reproductions, ranging from the 8th century BCE to the early 20th century, accompanied by graphics, audio-visual and interactive digital elements. - Olympics, which takes visitors from the ancient Olympic Games through to the birth of the modern Olympics and their growth and significance today. The gallery features a display of every torch from the Summer and Winter Olympic Games from 1936 onwards. Within the gallery’s Olympic theatre is an immersive video that tells the story of the birth of the modern Olympics and introduces the geopolitical, social, and technological factors that enabled individuals, most notably Pierre de Coubertin, to revive the Olympic Games. - The Hall of Athletes, which is a celebration of sporting heroes from around the world. Here visitors can meet heroes, old and new, and be inspired and amazed by their journeys and achievements. Across three floors, this gallery will profile 90 athletes from across the world and the 20th and 21st centuries, representing a wide range of international sports. - Qatar Hosting Nation, which explores how the mega sports events hosted by Qatar in recent decades have become a matter of global fascination and national pride. The gallery invites visitors to explore Qatar’s outstanding reputation as a host for international sporting events, starting with the 2006 Doha Asian Games. - Qatar Sports, which presents the inspiring story of the development of sports in Qatar, from traditional games through to the arrival of international sport and the development of international competitions. The gallery explores how sports has been and continues to be essential to the development of Qatar, looking ahead to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The gallery also brings to life Qatar's long-established sports activities such as falconry, pearl diving and camel racing, exploring how these sports are reflected in Qatar’s oral traditions and illustrating how they are connected to Qatar’s heritage and landscape. - Activation Zone, which promotes physical activity across Qatar and encourages the adoption of healthy and active lifestyles. Visitors are invited to walk through six spaces that evoke the landscape of Qatar. As they discover the park, the market and desert, the beach, city and finally the arena, visitors will participate in a variety of fun challenges. The museum has collaborated with the International Physical Literacy Association to develop a national physical literacy journey aimed at encouraging the community to adopt a healthy lifestyle and engage in physical activities. (QNA)