British double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah will open his Diamond League campaign in Doha on May 15, organisers said Tuesday.
Farah will compete in the 3000 metres in the opening leg of the 14-meet series, marking the 32-year-old’s first appearance in Doha.
“I’ve heard so many great things about the track, the crowd and the competition in Doha,” said Farah.
“There are always very strong fields in the distances so this will be a great early season test on the track for me. I’m looking forward to a good performance.”
Farah won the 5,000 and 10,000 metres double at the 2012 London Olympics and a year later became only the second athlete to win both titles at the world championships in Moscow.
“We are delighted to have one of the greatest current Olympic and world champions at our meeting this year,” said Qatari Athletics Federation president Dahlan Al Hamad.
“Mo Farah’s first appearance in Doha will ensure that our tradition of early season distance racing excellence will continue this year.”
Farah’s rivals in Doha as he gears up for the world championships in Beijing from August 22-30 include traditional distance running powers Ethiopia and Kenya.
Ethopians include Hagos Gebrhiwet, the 2013 world silver medallist over 5000m, and Yenew Alamirew, who set the Doha meet 3000m record of 7:27.26 in 2011.
Kenya’s contingent includes Isiah Kiplangat Koech, the 2013 world bronze medallist;Thomas Longosiwa, the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, and Caleb Ndiku, the reigning world indoor 3000m champion and last year’s Diamond Race winner in the 3000/5000m.
The field also includes veteran Edwin Soi, the 2008 Olympic 5000m bronze medallist; Albert Rop of Bahrain, the Asian record holder in the 3000m indoors (7:38.77) and 5000m (12:51.96) outdoors.