Olympics 2008 News

IOC meets to discuss Olympics scheduling of possible Qatar bid

Aug 26, 2011, 6:59 GMT

Daegu, South Korea - Olympic officials met on Friday to determine whether Qatar will be allowed to push back 2020 Games from the original summer slot to avoid intense heat.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said that the result of the executive board meeting will be forwarded to Qatar without being made public to allow further discussions.

'I will listen to my colleagues and find a consensual opinion. We are not making a news release immediately, because we want to discuss with Qatar the decision that we make,' Rogge told a news conference on the eve of the world athletics championships.

Qatar's bid for the 2016 Games was unsuccessful because it insisted on an October slot instead of the traditional July/August window.

The last Olympics outside this slot were the 2000 Games in Sydney, held between September 15 and October 1.

Qatar wants to push back the date a little further until the end of the intense summer heat of almost 40 degrees Celsius.

The bid deadline for the 2020 Games is next Thursday, September 1 and the host city is elected in 2013. Tokyo, Istanbul, Rome, Madrid intend to bid while Qatar's final decision will likely depend on the position of the IOC.

A similar debate erupted when Qatar was in December elected to host of the 2022 football World Cup.

That showcase event is played in June and July. Qatar officials have promised air-conditioned stadiums, but there have been suggestions in the football community to move the tournament forward to January or February.

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