Doha, November 07 (QNA) – In Doha, which is one of the most prominent capitals of sports around the globe, the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum stands out as the first museum in the Middle East that chronicles the legacy of sports around the globe as well as the Olympic Games and combines a collection of collectibles with the latest technologies, documenting the importance of sports in the State of Qatar.
Located in Khalifa International Stadium, the museum will serve as an important stop for fans of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, in light of its close association with football and various sports, in addition to the history of the Olympics.
Through its interactive galleries, inspirational collections and innovative activities, the museum takes its visitors on an inspiring journey to learn about the history of the Olympic Games, the stories of sports champions around the globe, and the development of sports in Qatar. The museum also addresses the tremendous impact that the major sporting events organized by Qatar have had in recent decades.
Designed by Spanish architect Joan Sibina, the museum is approximately 19,000 square meters – making it one of the largest of its kind, and is built onto Khalifa International Stadium, part of Qatar’s Aspire Zone Foundation.
The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum has joined the Olympic Museums Network as the only Arab institution in the Olympic Museums Network to date, to become the world’s most innovative and technologically advanced museums dedicated to sports.
The museum comprises seven gallery spaces housing objects from around the globe, from the origins of sports to the present day. Organized under the direction of Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs Dr. Kevin Moore, the galleries include ‘World of Emotion,’ which is the first gallery space visitors will encounter, and it serves as the museum’s reception area and lobby, providing an overview of the museum’s themes and the central role of sports in Qatar.
‘A Global History of Sport’ gallery represents a journey through the history of sports across the globe from ancient to modern times, as it includes nearly 100 objects and reproductions, ranging from the 8th century BCE to the early 20th century, accompanied by graphics, audio-visual and interactive digital elements.
The ‘Olympics’ gallery space takes visitors from the ancient Olympic Games through to the birth of the modern Olympics and their growth and significance today. The gallery features a display of every torch from the Summer and Winter Olympic Games from 1936 onwards. Within the gallery’s Olympic Theatre is an immersive video that tells the story of the birth of the modern Olympics and introduces the geopolitical, social, and technological factors that enabled individuals, most notably Pierre de Coubertin, to revive the Olympic Games.
The ‘Hall of Athletes’ is a celebration of sporting heroes from around the world, where visitors can meet heroes, old and new, and be inspired and amazed by their journeys and achievements. Across three floors, this gallery will profile 90 athletes from across the world and the 20th and 21st centuries, representing a wide range of international sports.
‘Qatar – Hosting Nation’ explores how the mega sports events hosted by Qatar in recent decades have become a matter of global fascination and national pride, including those that have been held at Khalifa Stadium since its opening in 1976. The gallery invites visitors to explore Qatar’s outstanding reputation as a host for international sporting events starting with the Asian Games Doha 2006.
‘Qatar Sports’ presents the inspiring story of the development of sports in Qatar, from traditional games through to the arrival of international sport and the development of international competitions. The gallery explores how sports has been and continues to be essential to the development of Qatar, looking ahead to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The gallery also brings to life Qatar’s long-established sports activities such as falconry, pearl diving and camel racing.
The ‘Activation Zone,’ which is the last of the seven gallery spaces, promotes physical activity across Qatar and encourages the adoption of healthy and active lifestyles. People will be presented with the inspiring stories of people who made the decision to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle, most notably the exceptional Qatari young man Ghanim Al Muftah, who was born with Caudal Regression Syndrome.
Visitors are invited to walk through six spaces that evoke the landscape of Qatar, as they will participate in a variety of fun challenges as they discover the park, the market, the desert, the beach, city and finally the arena.
The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum is built onto the side of Khalifa International Stadium (one of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums) and comprises two buildings: a main structure that follows the arc of the Stadium, and an attached round access building inspired by the Olympic rings.
Officially opened on March 31 of 2022, the museum collaborates with the International Physical Literacy Association to develop a National Physical Literacy Journey aimed at encouraging the community to adopt a healthy lifestyle and engage in physical activities. (QNA)
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