IOC President says Qatar is ‘setting an example’ to the world with refugee support

IOC President Bach with HH the Emir of Qatar, IOC Member Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. © IOC/Greg Martin
IOC President Bach with HH the Emir of Qatar, IOC Member Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. © IOC/Greg Martin

Doha, Qatar, April 20, 2021: The International Olympic Committee’s latest Olympic Highlights bulletin published on April 16 focuses on the visit of IOC President Thomas Bach to Qatar earlier in the month.

“President Bach was in Doha on Monday, April 12 to meet with the Emir of Qatar, IOC Member Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.  He also met NOC President Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani,” the article says.   

In the meeting with His Highness the Emir, the two leaders discussed the upcoming Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and preparations for the Qatari team and their participation in the postponed Games. 

They were also able to discuss the strong support that the NOC of Qatar is giving to the Refugee Olympic Team and the Olympic Refuge Foundation. The NOC is helping to assist with convening the team in Doha ahead of their departure for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

President Bach thanked HH Emir for the strong support and said: “In helping the Refugee Olympic Team and also its support for the Olympic Refuge Foundation, Qatar is setting an example to the world and demonstrating the true Olympic spirit of solidarity and friendship.” 

They were later joined by the QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan to discuss a wide range of Olympic matters.  Qatar’s strong interest in continuing to be a part of the Continuous Dialogue for hosting future Olympic Games was also a topic of discussion.

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim became an IOC Member in 2002. He was President of Qatar Olympic Committee from 2000-2015 and Chairman of the Organising Committee for the XV Asian Games 2006 in Doha. HH remains Executive Committee Chairman of the QOC – a position he has held since 2015.

Source: www.olympic.org