Bach discusses 2022 World Cup prep with emir

IOC President Thomas Bach is visiting Qatar, where he discussed the gulf state's preparations for the 2022 World Cup and its treatment of migrant workers. (Victor R. Caivano/AP)

IOC President Thomas Bach is visiting Qatar, where he discussed the gulf state’s preparations for the 2022 World Cup and its treatment of migrant workers.

Bach met Tuesday with Qatari sports leaders, including Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad-Al Thani, the emir of Qatar who is an IOC member and head of Qatar’s national Olympic committee.

The International Olympic Committee says in a statement that the men discussed the World Cup, and the emir "outlined a number of measures being taken by the local authorities regarding recent issues relating to the workforce and their conditions."

Qatar has come under criticism from labour unions and human rights groups for its treatment of migrant labourers involved in World Cup projects.

The IOC says Bach also visited an anti-doping laboratory which is expected to be accredited soon by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The IOC did not say whether Bach and the Qataris discussed another possible Doha bid for the Olympics. Doha, which failed to make the short list of finalists for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, is considered a potential candidate for the 2024 Games.

Bach, who travelled to Doha from Kuwait, will wrap up his three-country trip with a visit to Saudi Arabia.

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.