By Staff Reporter
Doha: Team Qatar did not merely collect medals at the 4th GCC Games – Doha 2026 — they delivered a sporting statement that reflected the nation’s growing stature on the regional and international stage, combining elite performances, organisational excellence and an ambitious long-term vision for sport.
At Doha 2026, Qatar was not simply hosting another multi-sport event. Instead, the Games became a reflection of a country that has transformed sport into a pillar of national development, excellence and global engagement. From the opening day to the closing ceremony, Team Qatar dominated the competition in emphatic fashion, producing one of the most memorable campaigns in GCC Games history.
In an atmosphere filled with pride and celebration, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, President of the Olympic Council of Asia and President of the Organising Committee of the Games, honoured Team Qatar athletes and national teams following their historic achievement during a special ceremony recognising the country’s unprecedented success at the Games.
Sheikh Joaan celebrated a new generation of Qatari champions who guided the nation to its largest medal tally in tournament history.
Team Qatar concluded the Games with an extraordinary haul of 134 medals, comprising 48 gold, 50 silver and 36 bronze medals, firmly topping the standings and rewriting the record books. Beyond the impressive numbers, however, the achievement reflected the maturity of Qatar’s sporting ecosystem and its success in nurturing a highly competitive generation of athletes capable of excelling across multiple disciplines.
The achievement also highlighted Qatar’s ability to combine sporting success with world-class event organisation, reinforcing its position as one of the region’s leading sporting nations and an increasingly influential player on the continental and global sporting landscape.
The ceremony was attended by First Vice-President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Mohammed bin Yousuf Al Mana; Second Vice-President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari; and Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Games Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain.
Senior sports officials, federation presidents, GCC delegations, technical staff and athletes also attended the gathering, which reflected the scale of sporting and organisational success achieved during this exceptional edition of the Games.
Outstanding athletes from various disciplines were honoured during the ceremony amid widespread praise for the competitive spirit, determination and technical quality displayed by Team Qatar throughout the tournament. Their consistency enabled Qatar to impose dominance across the medal standings from the opening competitions until the final day.
Saudi Arabia finished second overall with 82 medals, including 32 gold, 27 silver and 23 bronze medals, while Bahrain secured third place with 63 medals. Kuwait, the UAE and Oman followed in an edition marked by high technical standards, intense competition and a strong Gulf spirit reflecting the longstanding bonds between nations of the region.
For Qatar, however, Doha 2026 represented far more than sporting success. The Games provided another demonstration of the country’s proven capability to organise major sporting events to the highest international standards, benefitting from advanced sports infrastructure, experienced national expertise and years of accumulated knowledge in mega-event delivery.
Held from May 11 to 22, the Games featured more than 1,400 athletes and officials competing across 17 sports, including athletics, swimming, shooting, volleyball, handball, karate, padel, table tennis, boxing and archery. The event was widely praised for its professionalism, operational excellence and athlete-centred environment.
Among the standout performers was Team Qatar athletics, which topped the athletics standings after winning 34 medals — including 12 gold, 13 silver and nine bronze medals — further confirming the sport’s growing development in the country.
Mohammed Issa Al Fadala, President of the Qatar Athletics Federation, described the results as a reflection of Qatar’s ambitious sporting vision and sustained institutional support.
“What was achieved in this edition represents a major accomplishment and a source of pride for everyone involved in Qatari athletics,” Al Fadala said, praising the technical performances and competitive spirit displayed by athletes throughout the Games.
He credited the continued support of Sheikh Joaan as a key factor behind the success of Qatari sport, stressing that the leadership’s commitment to providing athletes with the resources, technical support and competitive opportunities necessary for development continues to produce tangible results.
Al Fadala also commended the efforts of Al Buenain, praising his continuous follow-up throughout the tournament and role in creating an ideal environment for national teams to succeed.
He additionally highlighted the efforts of Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, Director General of the Organising Committee, noting that close coordination among organising committees contributed significantly to delivering the Games according to world-class standards.
Looking ahead, Al Fadala said Doha 2026 would serve as an important stage in preparations for future competitions, particularly the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, with the federation continuing to focus on talent identification and long-term athlete development.
He added that the emergence of several promising young athletes alongside experienced competitors offered strong optimism for the future of Qatari athletics at Gulf, Asian and international levels.
Meanwhile, Olympic and world high jump champion Mutaz Essa Barshim described the Games as one of the most memorable editions of his career.
While winning gold in the high jump remained a proud achievement, Barshim said the occasion became even more emotional after seeing his father, Essa Barshim, secure silver in the 5000m walk event.
He praised the atmosphere of unity and brotherhood among Gulf athletes, stressing that the Games offered valuable preparation opportunities ahead of major continental and international competitions.
Qatar’s success also extended to shooting and archery, where the national team topped the overall standings with 26 medals, including 12 gold, six silver and eight bronze medals.
Jassim Shaheen Al Sulaiti, Secretary-General of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association, described the results as evidence of the sport’s sustained development in Qatar.
He said the achievement reflected years of technical and administrative planning, carefully structured preparation programmes and intensive training camps that enabled athletes to compete successfully against some of the Gulf region’s top talents.
Al Sulaiti praised the continued support provided to Qatari sport and stressed that the emergence of promising young shooters alongside experienced athletes reinforced confidence in the future of the sport.
He added that Doha 2026 represented another milestone in preparations for the 2026 Asian Games, while reaffirming Qatar’s position as a global sporting destination capable of hosting world-class events through advanced infrastructure, experienced national expertise and a culture of excellence.
As Doha 2026 came to a close, Team Qatar’s achievements stood not only as a medal success story, but as another defining chapter in the country’s broader sporting journey — one shaped by ambition, investment, preparation and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
