Doha 2015 launches ‘My Incredible Story’ film series

“We have no doubt that the World Championships will inspire and amaze spectators from around the world. We encourage everyone to get their tickets and support the athletes as they showcase their outstanding abilities and challenge to become the greatest para-athletes on Earth."

With just over 40 days to go until the start of the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar, tickets have gone on sale for the biggest para-sport event ever to be hosted in the Middle East, which will take place at Qatar Sports Club from 21-31 October. To mark this milestone, the Organising Committee has launched a series of five films telling the incredible stories behind some of the athletes who will be competing.

Speaking at the launch of ticket sales, Ameer Al-Mulla, CEO of the Organising Committee and President of the Qatar Paralympic Association, said:

“We have no doubt that the World Championships will inspire and amaze spectators from around the world. We encourage everyone to get their tickets and support the athletes as they showcase their outstanding abilities and challenge to become the greatest para-athletes on Earth. We are expecting an electric atmosphere in the stadium and multiple world-records are likely to be set. Nothing will compare to being able to witness the incredible action live.”

The first film in the “My Incredible Story” series tells the journey of Brazil’s Terezinha Guilhermina. Born with a degenerative eye condition, Guilhermina grew up in poverty in a family of 12. She discovered her talent for running when escaping from school bullies, and the rest is history. Terezinha, a multi-Paralympic and world champion in the 100m, 200m and 400m T11, says in the film:

“During my childhood, our financial situation had a very deep impact on my life, on the way I looked at the world. I believe those who have little in life can sometimes achieve a lot more. I used to dream of being the best in the world, so I could change my story. Sport has had an amazing impact on my life. I went from being Terezina Guilhermina, the one who dreamed, to Terezina Guilhermina, the one who achieved her dreams.”

Speaking about Doha’s hosting of the World Championships, Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, President of the Organising Committee and Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee said:

“The motto of the Doha 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships is ‘Beyond Incredible.’ We want to use the World Championships to show the incredible stories behind some of the athletes who are competing in order to raise awareness of para-sport and people with a disability. We want to help break down barriers and change perceptions.”

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, said: “Doha 2015 will be the biggest and, I am confident, the best para-athletics World Championships to-date. Coming less than 11 months before the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, athletes will be at the top of their game looking to lay down a marker ahead of next year.

“I am sure a number of world records will be smashed and new talents emerge during what will be a fantastic sporting spectacle.”

Over 1,400 athletes from 100 countries around the world will be competing in the world’s biggest single para-sport event. Paralympic champions, defending world champions and world-record holders will be competing in Doha, as they will also battle to qualify for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Standouts expected to compete include Great Britain’s 100m T44 Paralympic and world champion Jonnie Peacock and Germany’s world champion in the long jump T44 long jump Markus Rehm.

Preparations for the World Championships are on track and the Organising Committee will be hosting a Test Event from 12-15 September, in order to test operational procedures and functions. The Test Event will double up as this year’s Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) Para-Athletics Championships and will see 200 of the region’s athletes getting an early opportunity to compete in the same stadium that will host the World Championships.

Asian Para Games Champions Abdulrahman Abdelqader, Sara Masoud and Mohamed Al Kubaisi will all be competing in the Test Event and hoping to put the final touches for Doha 2015.

“My season has been going very well so far and I will use the GCC Para-Athletics Championships to see what form I am in and what I need to work on ahead of the World Championships,” said Abdelqader, who is currently ranked second in the world in the shot put F34.

Tickets for the Doha 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships are on sale now at the event website. All proceeds of ticket sales will be donated to charity.