Qatar remained committed to bidding for the 2031 Olympics despite the International Olympic Committee (IOC) continuing its exclusive talks with Brisbane.
The IOC, using its new, flexible bidding process named Brisbane as its top choice more than eleven years before the Games. This decision, however, came as surprise to other candidates including Doha, Budapest and Hungary.
The Qatar Olympic Committee emphasized its total commitment to maintaining constant dialogue with IOC-appointed panel which can continue talks and approach likely candidates for any future Games.
Doha applied to enter two previous Summer Games bidding contests, but was unable to make it to IOC’s list of candidates. One of the factors that went against Qatar is the scorching heat in the months July-August, when the IOC prefers to hold the Summer Games. Meanwhile, Doha hosted the 2019 track and field world championships during September-October months.
"We have listened and learned from our two previous bids and humbly believe that we are now perfectly positioned to deliver a low-risk, sustainable and world-class edition of the Games," said Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Qatari Olympic leader.
The IOC has not given any timeframe for its decision to confirm Brisbane or keep the contest open.
