The engineer who developed the air-con for Qatar’s World Cup stadiums says {that a} cooling system for an Olympic marathon is feasible if the Gulf state bids for the Games.
Amid reviews that Qatar is focusing on the 2036 Olympics, Saud Abdulaziz Abdul Ghani, broadly often called Dr. Cool, stated Qatar has already “confirmed” its technological functionality for the World Cup and might repeat the feat for a brand new mega occasion.
Doha was a contender for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics and sports activities officers have stated it’s finding out a brand new marketing campaign utilizing the World Cup as a launchpad.
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The infrastructure for the 32-nation soccer match has been broadly hailed, even when Qatar has confronted criticism over its rights report and its fierce summer time temperatures compelled FIFA to alter the dates to winter.
The rich Gulf state additionally held the world athletics championships in 2019 and can stage the world swimming championships in January 2024 and the following Asian Cup soccer because it steps up its bid to change into a dominant worldwide sports activities hub.
The athletics championship was held within the air-conditioned Khalifa stadium. But due to the daytime warmth, the ladies’s marathon began at midnight and solely 40 of the 68 runners completed as temperatures rose above 30 Celsius (86 fahrenheit).
Air conditioning pipes are seen throughout the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Denmark and Tunisia at Education City Stadium on November 22, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The World Cup was moved to November-December to keep away from the summer time warmth and Qatar may ask the International Olympic Committee to do the identical to permit a primary Olympics in an Arab nation, sports activities sources say.
There are already air-conditioned streets within the Katara cultural district and Qatar has a 1.1 kilometer air-conditioned jogging monitor in a single metropolis park. Media reviews have stated an Olympic marathon is also specifically cooled.
Sports authorities haven’t commented, however Saud, an engineering professor at Qatar University, stated an air-conditioned marathon course might be constructed.
“It is possible and doable. Engineering-wise something is feasible,” he instructed AFP on the sidelines of a press convention Monday.
“You don’t want a avenue. Maybe there might be cooling stations and issues like this. Let it occur after which we’ll see,” he added.
“We have confirmed to the world that technologically now we have the potential. We have carried out that and we will do it once more.”
General view outdoors the stadium previous to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
When requested if he was engaged on plans, Saud replied: “Nobody has contacted me but”.
Saud, who beforehand developed air-con for Ford Mondeo automobiles, spent 13 years engaged on the cooling used at seven of the eight World Cup stadiums.
While critics have stated it’s a waste of vitality, Saud responds that Qatar’s solar energy greater than makes up for the vitality used and the air-con retains the gamers and turf wholesome and even eliminates spectator physique odour.
Inside the stadiums, gamers and followers are stored at about 21 Celsius (70 Fahrenheit) by jets blasting air on the pitchside and underneath spectator seats.
“The basic suggestions could be very profitable,” stated Saud.
