By Andrew Warshaw in Doha

Sheikh Saoud_Bin_Abdulrahman_Al-Thani_14-11-11November 15 - Qatar are not used to losing bids for major sporting events but the man who led their failed attempt to land the 2017 World Athletics Championships is doing his best to put on a brave face.


Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani (pictured), secretary general of Qatar's Olympic Committee (QOC), says the nation has in no way been discouraged after losing out to London for the world's third biggest sports event.

"Our strategy and our commitment for sport will continue," said Sheikh Saoud three days after being beaten 16-10 at the vote in Monaco.

"It was a fair bid with London and again we congratulate them; we will continue to try to stage IAAF events like the Diamond League."

Qatar, which is rapidly becoming a Mecca – if you willexcuse the pun – for major international sports events, have already staged the Asian Games, will host the Arab Games next month and, most important of all, won the 2022 World Cup ballot 11 months ago.

Next comes the all-important Olympic vote in September 2013 in Buenos Aires.

So would there be a wholesale review of what went wrong in Monaco?

Sheikh Saoud kept his cards close to his chest.

"Every bid we enter, whether we win or not, we will use those lessons for future events," he said at the Aspire4Sport conference here.

He disclosed, however, that Qatar would soon be announcing another landmark bid though refused to give details.

"In the near future we will be announcing something – probably in January," he said.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
November 2011: Doha congratulate London on "fair fight" after losing 2017 bid
November 2011: Coe - We had to keep our nerve despite Doha "inducements"
November 2011: London awarded 2017 World Athletics Championships after decisive victory
November 2011: Doha offer $236.2 million package to host 2017 World Championships
November 2011: Exclusive - Doha has technology on its side, claims 2017 bid leader