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- Doha last staged Asian Games in 2006; Riyadh to host for first time
- OCA decided city with most votes would get 2030 edition and 2034 would go to runner-up
- Both countries have been targeting high-profile sporting competitions
Qatar’s capital city Doha will host the 2030 Asian Games and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, has been awarded the 2034 edition.
The decisions were made following a vote at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) general assembly in Muscat, Oman. Qatar and Saudi Arabia had been competing to host the 2030 event, but the OCA took the decision on a double award, meaning the city with the most votes would get the 2030 Games and the runner-up would receive 2034.
Doha got 27 votes compared to Riyadh’s ten. There were eight abstentions.
The two cities were bidding amid ongoing tensions between the countries. This has included criticism over their human rights records, as well as a diplomatic dispute which saw Saudi Arabia enforce a trade and air blockade of Qatar, having accused the Gulf State of sponsoring terrorism and supporting its neighbour Iran.
As such, OCA president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah had been searching for a solution to appease both countries.
Doha last staged the Asian Games in 2006, while Riyadh’s hosting will be a first for Saudi Arabia. The double award also draws parallels with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to award the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games simultaneously to Paris and Los Angeles.
“This is a very proud and special moment for the whole of Qatar and the West Asian region,” said Doha 2030 chairman and Qatar Olympic Committee president HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani.
“Hosting the 2030 Asian Games has been a national priority for our country and so we are humbled and greatly honoured to have been awarded this prestigious event.”
He continued: “We are also delighted that our West Asian neighbours, Saudi Arabia, have been given the opportunity to host the 2034 Asian Games and we wish them and the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee all the best.”
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Alfaisal, the president of Riyadh 2034 and the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, added: “We applaud this dual award decision by the OCA and the NOCs of Asia.
“It is the best outcome for the OCA and the two great bid cities who campaigned competitively and in the spirit of great sportsmanship.
“Most of all, today’s historic decision is great news for Asian sport and our athletes – who will be able to train and prepare for 2030 and 2034 knowing they are in great hands with two amazing host cities.
He continued: “We also congratulate Doha and wish them the very best of luck for 2030.”
As well as the Asian Games, the two countries have been looking to host several high-profile sporting events in recent years. Both nations are in the running for soccer’s 2027 Asian Cup, while Qatar will stage the 2022 Fifa World Cup and has expressed interest in hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games as early as 2032. In November, Formula One also confirmed the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which will take place next year.
