The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum opens in Doha

Touted during its development as “the world’s most sophisticated museum dedicated to sport,” the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum in Doha opened its doors last week. The occasion came two days before the draw for the 2022 World Cup and the new musuem, which adjoins Khalifa International Stadium, is sure to attract fans of the “beautiful game.”

Admittance is free.

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, were among the 400 guests at the inauguration.

Construction on the 19,000-square meter museum, which is one of the largest of its kind, began in 2013. However, curators spent more than 15 years collecting 17,000 sports objects, including some iconic items: a boxing glove worn by gold medalist Cassius Clay in 1960 before he changed his name to Muhammad Ali, a jersey worn by Pele, a Ferrari driven by Michael Schumacher, a cricket bat belonging to Sachin Tendulkar and a torch from each of the modern Olympic Games, which presumably includes the ultra-rare 1952 Helsinki torch.

The acquisitions came from private collections, auctions and in negotiations with the IOC.

The museum also shines a spotlight on athletes from Qatar and and its sporting heritage while interactive exhibits and activity areas invite participation.

The museum is a member of the Olympic Museum Network, which currently has more than 22 Olympic museums worldwide.

”We envision the museum as a testament to Qatar’s enormous appetite and enthusiasm for sport and its national ambition for the nation to become more physically active,” said Abdulla Yousuf Al Mulla, Director, 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.

The museum in the nation’s capital is part of a $1 billion-plus national cultural development campaign to enhance the Gulf state’s cultural offerings alongside its recruitment of major sports events. The 2019 World Athletics Championships were also held in Doha.

”We are not showing off,” Al Mulla told AFP, referring to the nation’s wealth, derived from oil and gas. “We have the confidence, we earned the confidence of international federations.”

Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani, a member of the Qatari extended ruling family who raced catamaran power boats from 2003-2015, said “If I knew that there was a wall with a local athlete on it, for sure I would want to be better than that athlete.”

Designed by Spanish architect Joan Sibina, the main structure follows the arc of the stadium and an attached round access building is inspired by the Olympic rings. The 3-2-1 Café and Naua restaurant are prorated by the JW Marriott with the menu concepts designed by chef consultant Tom Aikens, a Michelin-star chef and avid marathon runner.

”This is the very first museum in the Middle East dedicated to achievement in sports, to exploring the profound role of sports in society and in our personal lives, and is the only Arab institution to join the international Olympic Museums Network,” Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, said at the inauguration.

”In doing so, we demonstrate Qatar’s commitment to the ideals of the modern Olympic Movement, which recognizes the potential for athletic competition to lift the spirit, foster cooperation among people, and encourage a healthy and productive way of life.”

The first gallery space, called “World of Emotion,” is the museum’s reception area and lobby and provides an overview of the themes and the central role of sports in Qatar.”

A Global History of Sport” is a journey through the history of sports across the globe from ancient to modern times. The gallery is divided into geographic and thematic sections focusing on different historical periods in Europe, Asia and Oceania, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East.

The “Olympics” space encompasses the ancient and modern Olympics and includes an immersive video of the history of the Games’ revival.

”The Hall of Athletes” is a celebration of 90 sporting heroes from around the world. ”Qatar – Hosting Nation” gives an overview of major sporting events going back to 1976, when Khalifa Stadium opened.

“Qatar Sports” highlights the nation’s athletic development, including long-established sports activities such as falconry, pearl diving and camel racing, as well as a look ahead to the World Cup.

The “Activation Zone” promotes physical activity across Qatar, with visitors invited to walk through six spaces that evoke the landscape of Qatar — the park, the market, the desert, the beach, the city and the arena — while participating in a variety of fun challenges.

The museum also tackles serious subjects, such as doping, corruption and the Munich massacre in 1972. Victoria Cosgrove, curator for the Olympic gallery, said that “one of the biggest challenges that we faced — and this is not just in Qatar, it’s everywhere — is balancing the controversial aspects of sports, wanting to be honest about sport and sports people but also wanting to be respectful, be honoring and to be inspiring.”