World Athletics Championships 2019: Doha wins hosting bid

Doha wanted to stage the 2017 championships but lost out to London

The Qatari capital Doha will stage the 2019 World Athletics Championships after beating rival bids from Barcelona and the American city of Eugene.

It has been suggested the event runs from 28 September to 6 October to avoid the extreme heat of Qatar's summer.

Qatari officials say temperatures are lower then than in May, when Doha stages its annual Diamond League event.

"We had a dream for organising such an event for a long time," said Doha's bid leader, Dahlan al Hamad.

Doha wanted to stage the 2017 championships but lost out to London.

British marathon runner Scott Overall backed a potential move for the championships: "Athletes will need to adjust if it's done in October, but that is an adjustment that is easily done."

Overall, 31, who competed in the 2012 London Olympics, added: "Doha is gaining more experience each year with the Diamond League. I did the world indoors there in 2010 and the facilities, medical, everything, were great."

However, the decision to award the championships to Qatar has been criticised by some politicians in Britain.

Labour's Shadow Minister for Sport, Clive Efford, said: "The IAAF must be aware of the scandal of the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar.

"This is an appalling decision that risks bringing the sport into disrepute. I urge the IAAF to reconsider their decision."

The 2015 World Athletics Championships take place in Beijing from 22-30 August, while London's 2017 event is also scheduled for August.

Qatar is also due to host the Fifa World Cup in 2022 and Doha's refurbished Khalifa International Stadium - also a World Cup venue - will be the main arena for the championships.

Scott Overall finished 66th in the marathon at the London Olympics