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Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar's sporting heroes came together with schoolchildren and inspirational individuals to stage a unifying and patriotic Team Qatar flag relay in celebration of Qatar National Day 2017 on Thursday.
Qatar's Al Adaam national flag was carried around the country's most iconic landmarks, incorporating multiple sporting activities to spread a message of peace, friendship and solidarity through sport.
The flag covered almost 200km across Qatar and involved over 400 participants who represented the depth and diversity of Qatar's sporting success over recent years.
Commenting on the Team Qatar Flag Relay, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani said,"I have been so humbled to see how the power of sport has brought our nation together through such an inspirational and patriotic flag relay. The values of sport and the values of our nation are intrinsically linked and our Team Qatar flag relay provided a wonderful occasion to celebrate the achievements and inspirational spirit of our athletes and our country ahead of this year's National Day.
"We have showcased the very best of Qatar and the very best of sport in a unifying celebration that spread the Olympic values and transmitted a message of peace, friendship and solidarity through our national flag - a symbol of our dignity and pride. I would like to pass on my thanks to everyone who participated and contributed to making the day a success."
The flag relay began early in the morning at Sealine Beach with Qatar's national cycling team showcasing their speed and stamina as they transported the flag in a fast-moving peloton to Souq Al Wakra.
From there it travelled up to the Museum of Islamic Art on motorbike, where it was handed to some of Qatar's most successful athletes, including World Pralympic Para Athletics medallists, Abdelrahman Abdelqader and Sara Masoud and World Junior Weightlifting champion and senior world silver medallist Fares Ibrahim, who all joined schoolchildren to carry the flag on multiple legs around Doha's corniche.
Speaking about the experience, Abdelrahman Abdelqader said,"I'm so proud and happy that I participated with the other athletes in the Team Qatar Flag Relay and that I raised the Al Adaam flag. The event showed our unity and solidarity for our flag."
Fares Ibrahim said,"I'm so proud that I was a part of the Flag Relay. We strive to raise the flag for Qatar inside and outside the country. I felt so proud that I won a silver medal for Qatar in the World Senior Championship just before the National Day."
