Doha "wise" not to bid for 2024 Olympics but "capable" of hosting Games at right time, claims Sheikh Ahmad

Sheikh Ahmad believes Doha were wise not to bid for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics ©Getty Images

Doha's decision not to bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics has been described as a "wise" choice by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah believes that it is "logical" that a non-Asian city hosts in 2024 with the three previous Games set to be held on the continent, while he also thinks that not running will allow Qatar's capital to focus on other major events it is hosting.

Budapest, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Paris and Rome were confirmed as the five candidates to begin a two-year bidding process for 2024 yesterday.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach confirmed that Doha had not taken part in the invitation phase, suggesting that a potential bid never got beyond the earliest of stages.

Speaking following his re-election as OCA President, Sheikh Ahmad emphasised the Gulf nation's potential, simply due to the fact that so many World Championships have taken place there within specific sports.

"I think they are wise to share with others the Games," he said.

"It is logical that after Tokyo 2020, the Games will not be in Asia in 2024.

It is logical that the 2024 Olympics will not be in Asia, according to Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah ©Getty Images

"Because of that, and this is my personal opinion, I think they are wise to wait and see the situation."

The President suggested that preparations for the 2019 World Athletics Championships and the 2022 FIFA World Cup are rightly taking precedence.

"Maybe after 2024 they should think about 2028, and this will be their own resolution," he added.

"They are capable of doing it whenever they think it is the right time."

The 2024 Games are set to mark the end of a run of three successive Summer and Winter Olympics in Asia, following Pyeongchang 2018, Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022.

But Sheikh Ahmad, who is also a longstanding IOC member and President of the Association of National Olympic Committees, believes the number of cities bidding in 2024 shows how enthusiasm for the Games remains high, particularly because four of the bidders are from Europe.

"This also shows the success of Bach's Agenda 2020 reform process," he claimed.

"Agenda 2020 has encouraged big cities in Europe and North America.

"It shows how the Olympic Games is the best sporting event in the world.

"Whatever the rumours [about declining interest] the number of bidders has disproved this."