There have never been so many countries interested in our sport and willing to invest in sporting success (new stadiums, tartans, shoes, scholarships, sponsors ...). As a consequence, there are more and more athletes capable of achieving competitive results, it is becoming more expensive to enter the finals and there are increasingly more demanding minimums imposed by the IAAF. These changes are great for the show, but logically they mean bigger challenges for athletes. Following the trend, this World Cup will be the most demanding, objectively, in history.

In Doha, the fashionable conversation is the weather that awaits athletes: This small desert oasis is cooked in summer, with dripping damp in August and September. Impossible to organize a World Cup there in the middle of August and that's why it was decided to organize it at the end of September. Looking at the current climate, we see that a maximum of 40 degrees and a minimum of 30 are expected , with a humidity index above 80% . Many teams have simulated the extreme conditions of Doha to accustom their physiology to the effort that awaits them, and all those who are not accustomed to competing under these hellish conditions will be affected by their results. I would not be surprised to see an increase in cases of dehydration, heat stroke, muscle cramps, dizziness and colds, due to the large temperature changes between air conditioning and outdoor areas. Undoubtedly, the most affected will be the marchers and marathoners, which already are the ones with the highest risk of dehydration.

Already in a normal year, looking for a minimum and getting a form peak for the championship date is not easy. The best sports programs in the world pay large amounts to hire the best coaches, not only for their athletes to compete well, but to compete well on the really important dates that are usually in summer, not in autumn. Of course, the delay of two months in the calendar has affected the planning and I believe that those teams with good scientific staff (not only dependent on tradition and the inertia of past successes) will stand out from the rest. I think we will see the differences between really professional and amateur athletics; and amazing results can be given.

Obviously, the IAAF has decided (consciously or unconsciously, I don't know) to beat the athletes so that this is the physically toughest world championship in history. In short, success will be found by those who have prepared themselves most meticulously and who have best considered the conditions of Doha.

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