Leading figures in the Olympic Movement began arriving in Doha yesterday ahead of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly, which is being hosted by the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) for the very first time in Middle East from November 15-16.
Doha is expected to welcome a record-breaking 1,200 delegates from the Olympic Movement from around the world. Participating in the General Assembly are representatives of 205 National Olympic Committees, as well as IOC president Thomas Bach, delegates from International Federations (IFs), future Olympic Organising committees, as well as 2024 Candidate Cities.  
Speaking about Qatar’s hosting of the General Assembly, QOC secretary general Dr Thani Abdulrahman al-Kuwari said, ‘It is an honour for Qatar to host the biggest gathering of the Olympic Movement outside of the Olympic Games this week. It is our aim to organise the 2016 ANOC General Assembly to the highest possible level and provide a platform that will facilitate constructive discussions for the benefit of ANOC and the Olympic Movement. We are a nation passionate about sport and our hosting of this important event ties in with our vision to engage and empower young people in Qatar and around the world through the power of sport and Olympism. We look forward to uniting and celebrating the Olympic Movement in Doha.”
The General Assembly, which is being held in Doha’s iconic Sheraton Hotel, will see delegates discuss critical issues relating to the Olympic Movement, as well as exchange updates regarding ANOC’s latest reforms and the latest progress reports of the upcoming Olympic Winter Games and Olympic Games. The 2024 Candidate Cities will display their offerings to the Olympic Movement as they are due to present to the NOCs for the first and only time.
ANOC president Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah said, “It is a privilege to be in Doha for the XXI ANOC General Assembly. Over the past few years, Doha has showcased its impressive credentials in hosting major sporting events and the Qatari capital offers the perfect environment for the world’s NOCs to unite together in the spirit of sport. I would like to thank the Qatar Olympic Committee and the city of Doha for warmly welcoming the ANOC General Assembly for the very first time.  
“I am looking forward to the days ahead, which will provide an opportunity for us to celebrate an outstanding year for NOCs as well as updating NOCs on our progress as we look to make a positive contribution to the Olympic Movement. I also look forward to hearing more from the NOCs and listening to how ANOC can improve the support we provide them. We are honoured to have IOC President Bach and many representatives from International Federations here in Doha as part of our ongoing commitment to nurture the relationships between NOCs and IFs. NOCs and IFs both share National Federations as their stakeholders and so developing relationships between them will benefit the entire Olympic Movement.”
Qatar’s sporting leaders will join the biggest names in Olympic sport during the 21st ANOC General Assembly. QOC president HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani and Dr al-Kuwari will be joined by Qatar Athletics Federation and Asian Athletics Association president and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Dahlan al-Hamad, Qatar Gymnastics Federation president and International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Executive Committee member Ali al-Hitmi, Qatar Swimming Association president and Asian Swimming Federation vice-president Khaleel al-Jaber and Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee secretary general Hassan al-Thawadi.
Coinciding with the ANOC General Assembly are the annual ANOC Awards, which will be hosted for the third time, on November 15 at the Qatar National Convention Centre, and which will honour the biggest stars of Rio 2016. The ceremony will fuse Qatari and international music, dance and sport and embrace some of the very latest technologies to deliver a truly spectacular evening of world-class performances. The performances will pay tribute to the world’s five continents and sport’s power to unite the world.