Khalifa International Stadium ... IAAF WCH Doha 2019
Khalifa International Stadium ... IAAF WCH Doha 2019

World broadcasters attended a world broadcasters meeting (WBM) in Doha last week to see first-hand the facilities, services and processes available to them at the IAAF WCH Doha 2019, while IAAF Productions also unveiled its exciting production plans for the event.

A day of presentations and visits out to Khalifa International Stadium and the Marathon Course along Doha’s Corniche showcased a completely new production plan designed to be the most innovative and progressive ever at a World Championships, driving key audiences around the world by being bold and creative.

Broadcasters saw the first glimpse of how the innovative midnight marathon will be brought to life on screen to showcase the Doha skyline in the background.

Introducing a number of world firsts into the coverage, IAAF Productions have new and exciting plans to make graphics a far more integral part of the coverage and the overall storytelling of the Championships and the athletes.

The new production plans place athletes at the front and centre of the production and go behind the scenes like never before.

Speaking of his experience at the WBM in Doha and what broadcasters think of the host venue and facilities, Grier Patterson, Deputy Division President at Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), said:

“The meetings have been very constructive and very productive. The stadium and the warm-up facilities all look fabulous, so we are really excited about what lies ahead for us next year.

“I think in Doha there was a really good attendance at the meeting and I think a lot of the broadcasters were interested to come here and portray athletics in a little bit different venue than we have ever been at before. So, I think everyone is really excited,” he added.

Patterson highly praised preparations for the midnight marathon that takes place for the first time at the World Championships.

“I think the Organizing Committee and the host broadcaster have done a phenomenal job to get things ready with regards to the lighting and planning for the marathon.

“Marathons are extremely popular in Japan and we draw very big audiences in Japan. So, I think the midnight marathon is going to be a very neat presentation of Doha because of the way the city is lit up. I think it is going to shine very nicely,” Patterson added.

James Lord, Director of Platforms and Distribution at IAAF, said: “We’ve been delighted to welcome the world’s broadcasters to Doha this week and extremely proud to share our production plans which will showcase this great sport and engage with existing and new audiences in all new ways.”

“The feedback has been incredibly positive from our broadcast partners and our close working relationship with the LOC has brought many new possibilities to the World Championships. We are really excited to be counting down the weeks and months to the start of the Championships on 27 September 2019,” Lord added

The WBM meeting comes after the Local Organizing Committee put tickets on sale to fans all over the world as Doha continues to show its readiness to host the world’s biggest athletics event and the first-ever in the Middle East.

Avid athletics fans can select from an array of options that allow them to follow their champion, sit in traditional Arab cushioned Majlis seating or choose finish line seats.

Family and group discounts are also on offer for those looking to attend with their families or groups of friends.

Tickets start at an affordable €14 and include options that cater for all tastes, including finish line tickets that become available to the public for the first time ever.

Traveling fans will have access in the coming months to travel packages that include flights, hotel accommodation and transfers.

For information on ticket categories and to purchase your tickets now, please visit https://iaafworldathleticschamps.com/doha2019/

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