IAAF President Sebastian Coe has described the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 as the best in history in terms of the quality and depth of performances produced by the athletes of more than 200 nations.
“These performances are incredible but credit must also go to the facilities and conditions provided by the host country. Doha has created conditions on the field of play and in the warm up that are unsurpassed."
“I am feeling pretty good. I just wanted to qualify and tomorrow will be another day. I look forward to the semifinals. The track is great. It feels pretty good. I felt a bit nervous because it's been so long. I just want to go through the rounds and try to make it to the final. From there, you just want to lay it all out and try to get on the podium”.
Andre DE GRASSE (Bronze medal Men's 100 m, Silver medal Men's 200 m), after Men's 100 m Round 1.
“I am feeling very well. I was only 17 when I had my first experience at a senior world championship. I am more experienced and confident now. The Cuban team has arrived well prepared and we want to produce good performances for our people. The first goal has been attained. The weather was fine, and the track is very fast. For tomorrow's final, I want to be in the top eight after the first three rounds and aim for gold for sure” .
Juan Miguel ECHEVARRÍA (Bronze medal Men's Long Jump), during qualification rounds.
“I used a softer pole in my first jump and did not clear the height, then I changed it and made it and changed it again when the bar reached the qualifying height. My last competition was two months ago, the London Diamond League, due to injury. I thought about starting from 4.35m, but then I had a second thought and entered at 4.50m because I was feeling good. The track is fast, but I had full control of my run-up”.
Nikoleta KIRIAKOPOULOU, during qualification rounds of Women's Pole Vault.
“The track is really fast so that I got scared a bit. I almost fell. But if I fall, I fall. It does not matter. It definitely can be the sector where we can witness the new world record. If it comes from Christian or from me or anyone else, we will see. I only have one goal - to win. I do not care about the result that much but the win. I get this self-confidence from my training. I know how hard we have worked for this and I am confident I am able to do that”.
Will CLAYE (Silver Medal Men's Triple Jump), during qualification rounds.
“I feel grateful I was able to medal. Of course, I wanted to win but I take it as a beginning of the new start for the Olympic year. I never expect anything from anyone else, I only expect for myself. I am satisfied with my performance. The track is amazing. Watching the 100m final, I wish they did the same for us ".
Jeff HENDERSON (Silver Medal Men's Long Jump), during final.
“I did not expect that the times the girls are running were so fast. I have no idea, but I think we are all ready to go. We will see (about the world record), we will see what happens. It is a fast track, I am ready for anything”.
Danielle WILLIAMS (Bronze medal Women's 100 Metres Hurdles), during qualification rounds.