Summer heat 'no issue' for Qatar's Olympic bid

Qatar's bid for the 2020 Olympics was delivered by hand to the IOC in Switzerland last week.

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A leading representative from the Doha 2020 Olympic Bid Committee has dismissed claims the high temperatures would have a negative impact on athletes’ performances if the country was to secure the hosting of the tournament.

"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," Doha 2020 Olympic Bid Committee vice chairman HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said at a media roundtable on Monday.

Announcing the dates for the proposed 2020 games in Doha, Fahad Juma, technical bid and project management deputy CEO, added “the weather conditions during the month of October will be ideal to host a compact and memorable edition of the Games."

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Officials confirmed the proposed dates for the Doha 2020 Olympic Games are October 2 to 18 and the Paralympic Games to be held between November 4 and 15, the Qatar News Agency reported.

Organisers also revealed the 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, Juma added.

Qatar has already secured the hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and is investing billions of dollars in infrastructure improvements.