Tiny nation of Qatar wants to be global sports power
- Share via
Qatar may have been a controversial choice for the 2022 World Cup but the small Persian Gulf nation is nevertheless pushing ahead with its campaign to become a big player on the international sports scene.
Government officials announced Tuesday that the nation will contribute $1 million toward international research headed by the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency. The money is to go toward developing techniques for catching cheaters using performance-enhancing drugs.
“Qatar is first and foremost a sporting nation,” said Sheik Saoud bin Abdulrahman al Thani, secretary-general of the nation’s Olympic committee.
The donation comes about a week after the oil-rich nation beat out Eugene, Ore., to host the 2019 world track-and-field championships.
Qatar’s donation answers a call from the IOC, which initiated the move for more anti-doping research by pledging $10 million for the effort and asking for matching gifts.
New Zealand, South Korea, Turkey, China, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. had previously stepped forward with pledges.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
