Qatar will be a candidate for the organization of the Olympic Games in 2032. It thus joins the list of other countries on Monday July 27 and raises questions about the advisability of holding this event in scorching temperatures and with the specter of an audience not many. 

India, the Australian state of Queensland and Shanghai are also candidates, and a possible joint candidacy of Seoul and Pyongyang is mentioned for these Summer Games of 2032. 

>> To read: World-2022 in Qatar: the investigation for corruption now entrusted to a judge

"A meaningful dialogue" 

In line with the changes proposed in 2014, interested countries submit a request to join the "continuous dialogue" on the organization of the Games, which Qatar confirmed to have done in a letter to the Lausanne-based International Olympic Committee (IOC), in Swiss. 

"Today's announcement marks the start of a meaningful dialogue with the future IOC Organizing Commission to further explore our interest and identify how the Olympics can support Qatar's long-term development goals." Qatar Olympic Committee president Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani told AFP. 

Qatar had failed to apply for the organization of the 2016 and 2020 Games, as it had offered to host them in October without having previously discussed it with the IOC. 

The 2020 Games, postponed to 2021 due to Covid-19, have been awarded to Japan which also experiences scorching summer temperatures, leading officials to schedule the events early in the morning when temperatures are cooler. 

Heat and humidity 

"Qatar has earned a reputation as a world-class destination for major sporting events. It is this reputation and experience, along with our desire to use sport to promote peace and cultural exchange, that will constitute the basis of our discussions with the Commission, ”added Sheikh Joaan, brother of the ruler of Qatar, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. 

Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup, but the heat problem should less arise since the dates have been shifted from November 21 to December 18 to avoid the heatwave.   

Summer temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius in the country bordering the Arabian Desert. Heat and humidity were major issues at the World Championships in Athletics which was held in Doha last year with a very sparse audience, drawing much criticism. 

With AFP

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