Doha 2020 Olympic Bid: Sheikh Saoud Dismisses 'Heat' Talk

Doha, February 20 (QNA) - Doha 2020 Olympic Bid Committee Vice Chairman HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani Monday dismissed fears of high local temperatures affecting athletes' performances. Speaking at media round table organised on the sidelines of the unveiling of Doha 2020 Applicant File details, HE Sheikh Saoud replying to a foreign journalist's question weather conditions here, said, "Heat is no issue at all. There is a big difference in the temperatures prevailing in Doha during the month of October compared to the summer months of July-August." Reiterating this, Technical Bid and Project Management Deputy CEO, Fahad Juma, said, "The weather conditions during the month of October will be ideal to host a compact and memorable edition of the Games." The officials confirmed that Doha 2020 proposes to host the Olympic Games between October 2 to 18 and the Paralympic Games between November 4 and 15 November to ensure ideal conditions for athletes and spectators. The proposal to change the traditional Olympic dates slot to October was made with the support of 28 federations of the Olympic fraternity, they added. "If Doha wins the 2020 bid, the Games will change lives and build bridges by changing the world's perception of the Middle East, most significantly it will empower young men and women and spur them to greater participation and productivity in the region's growth, said Fahad Juma. (QNA)