QOC honors Barshim and Ogunode

DOHA, March 12, 2014- The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) honored the two champions Mutaz Essa Barshim and Femi Ogunode who won two medals (gold and bronze) at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships, concluded recently in Polish city of Sopot .

At his meeting with two champions on Wednesday, the QOC Secretary General HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani handed over the QOC commemorative shield and the prize money to Mutaz Barshim and Femi Ogunode in recognition of their achievements.

The honoring ceremony was attended by Major General Dahlan Jamaan Al Hamad, President of the Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) and the Asian Athletics Association, the coaches of the two players and Fisal Saleh Al Mansoori, Director of the QOC Public Relations and Marketing Department.

Sheikh Saoud was delighted by what Mutaz Barshim and Femi Ogunode achieved and stressed that their dazzling performance at the world championships is a result for the support of HH the Emir of the state Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for Qatar sports in general and athletics in particular.

The QOC Secretary General added that the two medals at the IAAF World Indoor Championships reflect the development of the Qatari Sports in light of the faithful efforts of our sports officials.

Sheikh Saoud extended his appreciation to the two champions Mutaz Barshim and Femi Ogunode as well as the members of the technical and administrative bodies at the QAF for their efforts and lauded the keenness of the QAF Board under leadership of Dahlan Jamaan Al Hamad to provide every possible support to the athletes.

Major General Dahlan Jamaan Al Hamad, President of the Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) and the Asian Athletics Association thanked the QOC for honoring the players and said that the honoring will be a great motivation for us to achieve new accomplishments at our upcoming participations.

For their part, the two players Mutaz Barshim and Femi Ogunode stressed that they are proud of representing the state of Qatar at the major sports events and applauded the great support of the state to all athletes.

The 22-year-old Barshim, who won world outdoor silver in Moscow last year and Olympic bronze in London, jumped a best of 2.38 meters to secure the gold medal. Russian Ivan Ukhov took silver on countback, with Ukraine’s Andriy Protsenko claiming bronze with a best of 2.36m.

Femi Ogunode occupied the third place of 60m event with a time of 6.52 seconds behind Richard Kilty of Britain )6.49) in the first place and rising US star Marvin Bracy (6.51 ) who finished second.

Hassan Abdullah Al Mohammadi

Head of Media

Qatar Olympic Committee

Tel: +974 449 44646

Fax: +974 449 44641

http://www.olympic.qa