Portugal Colonial - Diamond League athletics meet in Doha still slated for May 8 - organisers

"The Diamond League 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," they said in a statement.

"The safety of athletes and spectators is our primary concern, and we are also exploring alternative options with all stakeholders.

"A final decision will be made no later than a month before the scheduled date."

The Diamond League is the elite one-day meeting series in track and field, Doha opening a season that features 14 other meets in 13 different countries across four different continents.

Several major sporting events in the Middle East have been postponed or cancelled because of the war the United States and Israel launched on Iran, including the Formula One grands prix in Bahrain and Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia.

Both were scheduled for mid-April and have been cancelled.

In football, the Finalissima, which was to pit European champions Spain against Copa America winners Argentina on March 27 in Qatar, has also been cancelled.

The Qatar motorcycling Grand Prix, initially scheduled for the weekend of April 12, has been postponed to November 8, while a gymnastics World Cup event scheduled to take place in Doha in April was also cancelled.

However, Saturday's horse racing meeting in Dubai, carrying prize money of $30.5 million and featuring the Dubai World Cup, is going ahead.

P.L.Madureira--PC