The 'Aim Beyond' signing ceremony during the Doha Forum
- Partnership with World Athletics includes construction of 11 running tracks in 11 countries around the world
The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), in partnership with World Athletics and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), has launched ‘Aim Beyond’ – a project that aims to empower youth and underserved communities through the transformative power of sport.
As part of the project, 11 state-of-the-art, eco-friendly and inclusive running tracks will be constructed across 11 countries around the world, in Anguilla, Burundi, Cook Islands, Dominica, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Palestine, Panama, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Ukraine.
The project reflects Qatar’s deep belief in the power of sport to promote sustainable development, peace and social cohesion. It also underscores the country’s determination to transform sporting legacy into a tangible tool for positive change in the lives of youth and communities.
The tracks to be built are distinguished by their inclusivity, accommodating the needs of athletes with disabilities, and by their sustainability, using eco-friendly materials. The new tracks will also serve as community hubs that promote the values of sporting excellence and strengthen young athletes’ sense of belonging to their communities.
“In many communities around the world, athletic talent is abundant, but facilities are not – and that’s where Aim Beyond makes its mark,” said World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon, who attended the signing ceremony for the project in Doha on Monday (8). “Partnerships drive our mission to make athletics accessible and inspiring for all, and the collaboration between World Athletics, QOC and QFFD is exactly the kind of strategic, human-centred teamwork our sport needs.
“Together, we are strengthening infrastructure for our Member Federations, opening doors that many young athletes have never been able to walk through, and ensuring the legacy of the Doha 2019 World Athletics Championships continues to reach well beyond Qatar.
“My sincere thank you to His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, whose vision and commitment to athletics are helping to shape the future of our sport. Our sport owes you an enormous debt of gratitude.”
The announcement of the project came pursuant to the agreement signed by the QOC Secretary General H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain and the QFFD Director General Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, held from 6-8 December under the theme ‘Diplomacy, Dialogue and Diversity’.
H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain said: “Aim Beyond is an ambitious project to create a world where every aspiring athlete has access to facilities to aim beyond their limits. Just as Doha 2019 allowed Qatar to aim beyond its limits in pursuit of its ultimate dream, so too will this project create opportunities for young athletes to reach their full potential.
“We are proud that through this ambitious project, the legacy of the Doha 2019 World Athletics Championships will continue to shape the future of athletics – transcending borders and serving as a symbol of commitment, hope and opportunity.”
Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti said: “At Qatar Fund for Development, we firmly believe that sport is a transformative catalyst for human development and social progress and our partnership today with the Qatar Olympic Committee project reflects this commitment.
“By establishing inclusive and sustainable athletics tracks in underserved communities, we are creating pathways for young people to develop their talents, strengthen their capabilities, and realise their full potential. This initiative is not merely about constructing facilities, it is about laying the foundations for brighter, more prosperous futures.”
The signing ceremony during the Doha Forum – a premier global platform for dialogue and diplomacy – highlights how sport can drive sustainable development, peace and human development. The forum brings together global leaders, policymakers and innovators to discuss critical challenges and shape action-driven solutions.
World Athletics