World Athletic Championships in Doha.

[StockholmO]

Poor crowds with the Stadium only half full and 28 out of 68 runners dropping out of the women's marathon due to the heat even though it was held at MIDNIGHT!

It doesn't bode well for the World Cup even though the Stadium's are supposed to be air conditioned. How the Hell that is supposed to work is beyond me, but for all the money they have they can tow icebergs from the Arctic.

It all strikes me that sporting events in Qatar are just one big vanity project and them giving a two finger tribute to Dubai.

No evidence of corruption though. Obviously.

[Clive Evans]

It is a sad fact that National Wealth is seen as far more important than National Fervour. Filthy Lucre has a lot to answer for. Anyone with half a brain realises that 50% of World Cup Finals should be played in Britain ( maybe we could win the dam thing again as well )

[F*ck The Poor & Fat]

Lots of hot money swilling around during the bidding process too, no doubt.

[EliotNes]

It is the nature of world politics, especially third world politics. I was involved with the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean. All the stadia used were refurbished or built new with money from those two cricket loving nations of Taiwan and PR China. The Prime Minister of Barbados has just as many votes in international bodies as Donald Trump i.e. One.

But its nice to see that we get more at Brizzie Road for our matches than in Doha for these Championships.

[BIGRON]

Was most surprised there was a mixed relay final last night there were more journalists than fans in the stadium watching it ☹

[Proposition Joe]

Events like this are undermining accepted norms about what constitutes a successful games though. It used to be the case that if a stadium was empty it'd be considered a disaster and a PR embarrassment but now, as showpiece games are carted off to Baku and Doha and wherever the f*** else has oil and dubious rulers, it doesn't seem to matter any more. Sportwashing has been remarkably successful to the extent that now you only need money and everyone's ok with it, you don't even need to put on a decent event to go with the bribes.

[spen666]

Events like this are undermining accepted norms about what constitutes a successful games though. It used to be the case that if a stadium was empty it'd be considered a disaster and a PR embarrassment but now, as showpiece games are carted off to Baku and Doha and wherever the f*** else has oil and dubious rulers, it doesn't seem to matter any more. Sportwashing has been remarkably successful to the extent that now you only need money and everyone's ok with it, you don't even need to put on a decent event to go with the bribes.

Yep it's no longer about sport or spectators but all about money.

Sad to see

[Thor]

Events like this are undermining accepted norms about what constitutes a successful games though. It used to be the case that if a stadium was empty it'd be considered a disaster and a PR embarrassment but now, as showpiece games are carted off to Baku and Doha and wherever the f*** else has oil and dubious rulers, it doesn't seem to matter any more. Sportwashing has been remarkably successful to the extent that now you only need money and everyone's ok with it, you don't even need to put on a decent event to go with the bribes.

Absolutely spot on. It's a travesty that these countries with shall we say dubious human rights records should be given the games in the first place.

I'm fuming with Hearn taking Joshua to Saudi and the press here have been complicit in giving him an easy time over it. What surprises me is Steve Bunce and the bbc among others supporting it going there yet a reporter was chopped up on the orders of the crown prince allegedly. How can that be right? How can journalists be happy to go there, yet one of their own who spoke up was killed for doing exactly that. It's a disgrace.

[Fisch]

The lady javelin thrower from Croatia has the flag from Serbia assigned to her name. Nice one.

[Clive Evans]

Thought the lady High Jumper from Russia was well fit. Legs went all the way up to ..............

[Proposition Joe]

To what?

[Real Al]

The bar?

[Disoriented]

It is the nature of world politics, especially third world politics. I was involved with the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean.

How many wickets did you take fella?

[Real Al]

KJT is absolutely smashing the heptathlon. Thiam is a brilliant athlete though, so it's far from over.

Hope KJT dies it, as she's had some terrible disappointments.

[tuffers#1]

Well done KJT
Dina & Kjt knocking it out of the park for the Women

Shocking fat fingers by Real Al .

[StockholmO]

Dina Asher Smith. Sports Personality of the Year?

And shes getting better.

[StockholmO]

Great to see the women winning the medals, up until today the men got nuffink.

3 medals for Sweden in the Discus (Gold), Pole Vault and 20 km walk. Much better than we'd been expecting.