Athletes from the Qatar Olympic Committee’s Shine project have arrived in Doha before an athletics training camp ©QOC

Athletes from the Qatar Olympic Committee’s (QOC) Shine project have arrived in Doha before an athletics training camp at the Aspire Academy.

The young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds in Rio de Janeiro will spend a week receiving specialised coaching and sport science testing, to support their journeys towards becoming Brazil’s future Olympians.

"It is a pleasure to welcome our Shine athletes to Doha for their training camp and we look forward to sharing with them our culture, warm hospitality and passion for sport," said Thani Al Kuwari Al Thani, secretary general of the QOC.

"The QOC believes in the power of sport to transform lives and we are committed to spreading the Olympic spirit far and wide, and touching the lives of people from around the world.

"We were determined to grasp the opportunity of the Rio 2016 Games to deliver a true, meaningful legacy for Brazil’s young athletes.

"Through Shine, we aim to utilise our resources and commitment to the global development of sport by providing support and assistance for the young athletes' future sporting careers."

In May, almost 200 young athletes in Rio de Janeiro competed in 24 sports in a bid to win one of 10 places to travel to Qatar.

Almost 200 of the most talented young athletes in Rio de Janeiro competed for 10 places at the camp ©QOC
Almost 200 of the most talented young athletes in Rio de Janeiro competed for 10 places at the camp ©QOC

Qatar Airways provided complimentary tickets for the Shine athletes to travel to Doha through their sponsorship of the QOC and Team Qatar at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Over the next week, the athletes will follow similar tailored and optimised athletics training programmes to those of the Aspire Academy students, with input from the world’s best coaches and sport scientists.

Notable graduates of the Aspire Academy include Qatar’s first-ever Olympic silver medallist, high jumper Mutaz Barshim, and double world junior champion in the hammer throw, Ashraf Elseify.

The athletes travelled to Qatar with Brazil’s Arnaldo de Oliveira, the Atlanta 1996 4x100 metres Olympic bronze medallist and founder of non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Futuro Olimpico.

"I founded Futuro Olimpico in 2007 with the goal of using athletics as a tool for social inclusion and transforming athletes into great citizens," added de Oliveira.

"We are so excited to be here in Doha and to experience the high level training facilities and sporting infrastructure.

"It is a unique experience for our athletes to meet new athletes and experience a new culture and we are so grateful for this opportunity."

The Shine training camp will take place until February 25 and will combine the training sessions with cultural visits.