The swimming competition to be part of Arab Games Doha 2011 has been officially recognized by Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA), the international governing body of swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming, and open water swimming, as an official qualifying event for London 2012 Olympic Games.
“The fact that the Arab Games swimming competition has been selected as a qualifying event by FINA is testament to the thorough preparations and world-class standards set for Arab Games Doha 2011,” said Khaleel Al-Jabir, Director Sports Directorate.
“Our vision is for an Arab Games swimming competition which will inspire and offers all participants and nations the perfect preparation for London 2012 or future international championships. It will be an ideal platform for all Arab athletes to realise their potential and compete at the highest level. Once again, Qatar sits alongside the leading sporting nations as a trusted partner and renowned sporting hub, showing real leadership in every aspect of hosting major sporting events,” he said.
Seeking firsthand experience of Arab swimming teams during games time, FINA representatives will be attending the swimming competition during Arab Games Doha 2011.
“The qualifying of its swimming competition is great achievement for Arab Games Doha 2011, and an excellent opportunity for all the participating swimmers,” Leading Qatari swimming champion, Ahmed Ghaith, said.
Ghaith will be competing during Arab Games Doha 2011, an event he is currently training for and looking forward to.
“I participated in the Arab Games in 2007, in Cairo, and am expecting Arab Games Doha 2011 to provide me with an ideal sporting environment to to develop my skills and talents to compete on more regional and international platforms in the future. In December, my goal is to win – for my team and for Qatar,” he said.
Building on the success of the Swimming competition the Arab Games Organising Committee (AGOC) is in the process of finalizing also the other sports international federations sports recognition as qualifying events for the London Olympic Games.
Arab Games Doha 2011 is scheduled to run from December 9th-23rd, and will feature over 6,000 athletes and officials from 22 Arab countries. With a stellar track record of having successfully hosted international sporting events, like the Asian Games, IAAF World Indoor Championships, Diamond League, Asian Football Cup, FINA Diving World Cup, and World Volleyball Championships, Qatar is all set to share its unrivalled experience to create games of Olympic standards this year around.