Nothing to hide: Qatar WCup bid organizers
Updated: 2014-06-15 15:12
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
Newspaper alleges $5m corruption in 2022 WCup vote
FIFA bribery scandals |
They wondered why it had gone to a country with a population of 2 million people, with little soccer heritage and where summer temperatures average around 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
FIFA's own inspection team, which examined all the bids in forensic detail following site visits during 2010, advised decision-makers not to back Qatar citing mainly the summer heat.
Blatter said last month it had been "a mistake" to award the finals to the country in the summer due to the heat, but later said his quote in French had been mistranslated.
Qatar 2022 addressed the issue of the heat in its statement.
"We developed cooling technology to cope with the climate of the Middle East, technology that would prove enormously valuable for nations in similar climates around the world," it said.
Organizers also said they had introduced better welfare standards for workers involved in constructing the infrastructure to host the event, following separate media reports of poor labour conditions.
"We are already constructing three stadiums and by the end of the year two more will be in development," they said.
"Our country has demonstrated its support, spending more than $23 billion on transport infrastructure projects alone. And to be clear - we will do this as we advance worker welfare within Qatar."
Related Stories
Lucio: balance key to Brazil World Cup bid 2014-04-22 11:05
Gdansk mayor urges Poland to make World Cup bid 2012-06-21 16:01
Spain launches 2014 basketball World Cup bid 2012-01-27 10:51
Senator wants FIFA to pay back World Cup bid costs 2011-05-30 13:55
Russia's World Cup bid not won by luck: Putin 2010-12-16 20:47
China still interested in World Cup bid 2010-12-03 19:19
Today's Top News
China finds way to play in 2014 World Cup
Protocol targets sex violence
Premier all business on Europe trip
Poland-China train on maiden trip
Iraq facing 'mortal threat' from militants
China, Italy boost ties
Brazil averts strike before WCup
Red meat 'linked to cancer'
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Crackdown on terrorist attacks |
My China Story: Meeting the master |
Long march to end employment bias |
Variety is the spice of academic life |
Documents prove the truth can't be buried |
Race to remember story of resistance |