World Championships flag is handed over

Thani Abdulrahmani Al Kuwari receives the flag from Sebastian Coe — Qatar Athletics Federation chief Thani Abdulrahmani Al Kuwari receives the flag from IAAF President Sebastian Coe as Mutaz Barshim and Laura Muir applaud

Bengaluru, August 14: Doha is set to host the next World Athletics Championships after the handover ceremony in London on Sunday.

Qatar's capital city will host the IAAF World Championships at Khalifa International Stadium in two years' time, bringing athletics' flagship event to the Middle East for the first time in history.

Qatar's newly-crowned world high jump champion, Mutaz Essa Barshim brought the flag into the London Stadium with UK athletics superstar, Laura Muir.

Barshim keeps date with history Barshim keeps date with history

The flag was then handed by IAAF President Lord Sebastian Coe to Qatar Athletics Federation chief and Vice-President of the Doha 2019 Organising Committee, Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari before a Doha 2019 promotional film was played on the stadium's huge screens, marking Doha officially becoming the next host city.

The IAAF flag has handed over to Doha at the @officiallondon2017 Stadium! #Doha2019 is next! pic.twitter.com/D8Mx0K9Vjn
— Doha 2019 (@doha_2019) August 13, 2017

The Doha 2019 World Championships provide an opportunity to create a springboard for further athletics development across Qatar and the whole of the Middle East. Speaking about the opportunity that lies ahead, Barshim said, "I want to inspire the younger generation and for them to believe. If I can do it, imagine how many others can do it. We need to make an impact and take athletics to new places and expand the sport that we love. Together we can defy gravity."