The 2026 Diamond League season has suffered an early disruption after the opening leg in Doha was postponed due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.Originally scheduled for Friday, 8 May at the Qatar Sports Club, the event will now be held on Friday, 19 June at the Khalifa International Stadium, provided conditions in the region improve.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe decision comes amid heightened tensions following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran in February, sparking a broader conflict that has since destabilized the region. The situation escalated further this month when Iranian aerial attacks reportedly caused significant damage to Qatar’s major gas infrastructure, following earlier Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities.##NAJAVA_MECA_69658189##As a result, several sporting events across the Middle East have either been postponed or cancelled, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the crisis. Among them are Formula One race weekends in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which were called off in April.World Athletics announces new championships historically dominated by KenyansOrganizers of the Diamond League noted that the decision to move the event was guided primarily by safety concerns.“The series and meeting organizers remain committed to delivering the highest level of safe and secure competition for athletes, media, and spectators,” read part of a statement released on Wednesday.They added that the situation in the region would continue to be closely monitored in the coming weeks.In addition to security concerns, the shift in venue, from Qatar Sports Club to Khalifa International Stadium, was influenced by Doha’s extreme summer temperatures, which can exceed 40°C in June.The Khalifa Stadium, which hosted the 2019 World Athletics Championships, is equipped with advanced cooling technology, making it more suitable for competition under such conditions.Olympic champion Gabby Thomas confirms Kip Keino Classic participationWith the postponement, the 2026 Diamond League season will now begin on May 16 in Keqiao, China. The rescheduled Doha meet will slot in between the Oslo leg on June 10 and Paris on June 28, becoming the eighth stop in this year’s 15-meet series.
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