The English-educated Sheikh is the President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but the decision to use him so early in the campaign appears designed to demonstrate the level of support that the bid enjoys.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Sheikh Tamim's brother, played a prominent role in Qatar's successful campaign to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

He was the chairman of the bid and his influence is credited with having helped the gas-rich Gulf State pull off its controversial victory.

Another interesting figure Doha have selected as part of their team presenting to the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) at its General Assembly is Nada Mohammed Wafa Arakji.

She is a swimmer who will compete at London 2012, one of three women Qatar have picked, their first since they made their Olympic debut at Los Angeles in 1984.

Doha have put improving opportunities for women in the Middle East to compete in sport at the heart of their bid.

Other members of the delgation include Mohammed Sulaiman (pictured below second right), the first Qatari to win an Olympic medal when he finished third in the 1500 metres at Barcelona in 1992.

 
Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the secretary general of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and Noora Al Mannai, the chief executive of Doha 2020, are also part of the presentation.

"This General Assembly marks an important moment in the development of ANOC," said Sheikh Tamim .

"We have an opportunity to present the different visions for the 2020 Games and we have seen a significant development in the leadership of the organisation."

Doha, along with their rivals Baku, Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo, have only 10 minutes to make a presentation but it is expected to set the tone for race, which is due to reach the finish line at the IOC Session in Buenos Aires on September 7, 2013.


"The ANOC General Assembly is an important milestone in the 2020 bidding process," said Sheikh Saoud (pictured above with the IOC's Jacqueline Barrett).

"We are delighted to be here on behalf of the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Doha 2020 bid.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with our colleagues in the Olympic Movement, look forward to a great Olympic year and set out our vision for Doha 2020. 

"A vision which is focused on delivering great Games and building lasting legacies for generations to come."

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