The Diamond League athletics meeting in Doha has been postponed by six weeks, now scheduled for June 19, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, organizers announced on Wednesday, April 8.
The United States recently agreed to a two-week ceasefire in the war it is waging alongside Israel against Iran.
Organizers of the Diamond League had previously stated that the athletics event would go ahead as planned on May 8, but have now decided to delay it.
“In the interest of the safety of athletes and spectators, the decision has been made to postpone the meeting. If conditions allow, it will now take place on June 19,” they said in a statement.
The competition will also be moved from Qatar Sports Club to the Khalifa International Stadium to account for potentially higher temperatures. The temperature-controlled Khalifa Stadium hosted the 2019 World Athletics Championships and matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The first Diamond League meeting of the season is set for May 16 in Shanghai.
Several major sporting events in the Middle East have been postponed or canceled due to the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran. These include the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Bahrain and the one in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, both originally scheduled for mid-April and now canceled. In football, the Finalissima, which was to pit European champions Spain against Copa America winners Argentina on March 27 in Qatar, has also been suspended.