Doha to Host 2019 World Athletics Championships

Doha, the capital of Qatar, has been chosen as the host to the 2019 World Athletics Championships.

The Middle East city saw off competition from Spain's Barcelona and US city of Eugene.

"Doha was selected to host the 2019 IAAF World Championships. Doha (QAT) was selected over Barcelona (ESP) and Eugene (USA) for the right to host the 17th edition of the IAAF World Championships," read a statement on the IAAF website.

The Qatari capital will now be the first Gulf city to host the athletics showpiece.

Doha was always seen as the frontrunner for the event, especially after narrowly missing out on the 2017 edition of championships to London.

IAAF's decision to award the championships to Doha has come as a major boost to Qatar, which has been embroiled in controversy over FIFA's stance to award of the 2022 World Cup to the country.

"I am sure that in Doha we will have a wonderful edition of the World Championships," said IAAF President Lamine Diack, who also offered his thanks to the defeated candidates, by stating: "There were the best presentations we have ever had."

Desert heat and searing temperatures in Doha even during the June-August period mean that the 2019 World Championships will take place in October, instead of August, while the 2022 World Cup is also likely to be moved from the summer.

The change in dates means that the World Championships in Doha will take place around the same time as the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the leader of the Doha bid, thanked the IAAF for giving Qatar the opportunity to host the event.

"It's a privilege and honour to have the trust of the IAAF. I am very delighted that these Championships are going to be for the first time in the region. I'm confident that with the help of the IAAF we will organiser one of the best World Championships."

The next edition of the World Championships will take place in Beijing from 22 to 30 August 2015.