DOHA CONFIRMED: ITALIAN ATHLETE CONCERNED FOR SAFETY

Concerns over athlete and spectator safety have been raised ahead of the Doha Diamond League, scheduled for 8 May and set to mark the start of the 2026 athletics calendar.

Italian long jumper Larissa Iapichino, silver medallist at the 2026 World Indoor Championships in Torun and the 2025 World Championships in Rome, has voiced her worries about the situation. Still holding the U20 indoor long jump record set in 2021, she shared her thoughts in a recent interview for Covfeed, stating:

“I am concerned, especially for the safety of athletes and spectators if they need to travel to those places. If other sporting events have been cancelled, there are good reasons. I think the best solution could be either to postpone the event or to find an alternative to replace it.”

Larissa Iapichino during the 2026 World Indoor Athletics Championships long jump final

Her comments come at a time when several high-profile events have already been cancelled, including the Formula 1 Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix and the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain. Despite this, the Doha meeting is currently scheduled to go ahead as planned.

In a statement, the Diamond League confirmed that it “continues to monitor the situation in Doha, working in close coordination with meeting organisers, the Qatar Athletics Federation, the relevant authorities in Qatar and World Athletics.” A final decision is expected no later than one month before the event.

While organisers insist that the safety of athletes and spectators remains the top priority and that alternative options are being considered, uncertainty still surrounds the start of the season. Federations may ultimately need to decide whether to proceed as planned or delay the opening of the Diamond League.

The following meetings are scheduled to take place in China, with events in Shanghai and Xiamen set for 16 and 23 May.