President of Qatar Olympic Committee H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani
Overview
His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani is leading a new chapter in Asian Olympic sport as President of Olympic Council of Asia and President of Qatar Olympic Committee, alongside his role as Senior Vice-President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).
Throughout his career, he has contributed to the development of Qatar’s sports system, strengthened Asia’s presence within the international Olympic Movement, and led the hosting of major championships and multi-sport events. Since assuming the QOC presidency in 2015, Qatar has continued to expand its global sporting presence while advancing an approach centred on athlete support, governance, sustainability and legacy.
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Leadership
Journey
Chairman of the Qatar Leadership Academy Board of Advisors
Supported programmes that prepared young leaders through discipline, responsibility and institutional learning, while guiding the Qatar Leadership Academy Board of Advisors throughout his chairmanship.
Doha Asian Games Torch Relay Ambassador
Participated in the Doha 2006 Asian Games Torch Relay, in one of his earliest roles connected with Asian sport and major multi-sport events.
President of the Asian Men’s Handball Championship Organizing Committee
Oversaw preparations for the 2012 Asian Men’s Handball Championship and led its Organising Committee, taking on one of his earliest direct leadership responsibilities in a major continental sporting event.
Vice-President of Al Sadd Sports Club
As Vice-President of Al Sadd Sports Club, he gained direct experience in managing a multi-sport institution before moving into broader national Olympic leadership roles.
President of the Qatar Olympic Committee
Elected President of the Qatar Olympic Committee on 7 May 2015 and subsequently re-elected, he has led a period focused on developing athletes and national federations while expanding Qatar’s engagement across the international sports system.
Board Member, Olympic Refuge Foundation
He joined the Board of the Olympic Refuge Foundation in 2017, supporting initiatives that use sport to strengthen protection, inclusion and opportunity for communities affected by displacement.
Chair of the Qatar Olympic Academy Board
As Chair of the Qatar Olympic Academy Board, he provides strategic leadership in developing academic and professional learning opportunities in sport sciences, administration and education, while promoting knowledge-sharing and capacity building in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Member, IOC Public Affairs and Social Development through Sport Commission
Through his membership of the IOC Public Affairs and Social Development through Sport Commission, he supported work promoting sport as a catalyst for social development and public engagement, contributing to initiatives that strengthened its positive impact on communities worldwide.
ANOC Senior Vice-President and Vice-President for Asia
In 2022, he was elected ANOC Senior Vice-President and Vice-President for Asia, assuming a senior role in representing the interests of National Olympic Committees within one of the Olympic Movement’s key institutions.
Member, IOC Olympism 365 Commission
Continues to contribute to initiatives that use sport to advance social development, inclusion and positive societal impact, following the restructuring of IOC commissions in 2022.
OCA Executive Board Member
Contributed to the governance and development of sport across Asia through his service on the OCA Executive Board, before his subsequent election as President of the Olympic Council of Asia.
Vice-Chairman, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy
Continues work to maximise the institutional, social and venue legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 through his role as Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy.
Chairman, Doha 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Bid Committee
In 2025, he was appointed Chairman of the Doha 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Bid Committee, providing strategic leadership for Qatar’s Olympic and Paralympic candidature following the QOC’s entry into continuous dialogue with the IOC.
President of the Olympic Council of Asia
On 26 January 2026, the 46th General Assembly elected His Excellency as President of the Olympic Council of Asia by acclamation, and presented the ‘Together for Asia’ vision centred on solidarity, athletic excellence, governance, responsible innovation and sustainability.
Member, IOC Olympic Solidarity Commission
His appointment to the IOC Olympic Solidarity Commission in 2026 added another international Olympic responsibility, with the Commission overseeing programme priorities, budgets and implementation in support of National Olympic Committees and athletes.
Academic
Achievements
2020
Executive MBA
HEC Paris - Qatar
2020
Professional Development Diploma
École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr
2015
MA in Defense and Strategic Studies
Royal College of Defense Studies - United Kingdom
2007
Diplôme de Saint-Cyr
École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr - France
Hosting Milestones
IHF Men’s Handball World Championship Qatar 2015
Served as Chairman of the Organising Committee for the IHF Men’s Handball World Championship Qatar 2015 and oversaw the delivery of a major global event that strengthened Qatar’s profile as an international sports host.
AIBA World Boxing Championships Doha 2015
In his capacity as President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, he led efforts to host the championship in Doha. The event marked the 18th edition of the Men’s World Amateur Boxing Championships and was regarded at the time as the best-organized edition in the history of the International Boxing Association.
FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018
Chaired the Organising Committee of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Doha and oversaw the staging of the first edition of the championships in the Middle East.
World Athletics Championships Doha 2019
Chaired the Organising Committee of the World Athletics Championships Doha and oversaw the competition at Khalifa International Stadium, which brought together many of the world’s leading athletes.
ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019
Served as Chairman of the Organising Committee for the inaugural ANOC World Beach Games and oversaw the first edition in Doha, bringing together athletes from around the world.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Contributed to the preparation and delivery of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 through his membership of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Board, and continued work on the tournament’s legacy after becoming the Committee’s Vice-Chairman in 2024.
World Judo Championships Doha 2023
Chaired the Organising Committee of the World Judo Championships Doha and oversaw a major international competition that brought together leading judoka ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
World Aquatics Championships and Masters Championships Doha 2024
Served as Chairman of the Organising Committees for the World Aquatics Championships and the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Doha, overseeing both events with the support of Qatar’s established infrastructure and accumulated delivery expertise.
World Table Tennis Championships Doha 2025
Oversaw the organisational and operational delivery of the championship in Doha as Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee, supervising the work required to stage the global event.
4th GCC Games Doha 2026
Chaired the Organising Committee of the fourth GCC Games in Doha, an edition in which Qatar recorded the largest medal haul in the history of its participation in the Games.
FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027
Serves as Chairman of the Organising Committee for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 and oversees preparations for the first edition of the tournament to be staged in the Middle East and North Africa.
FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship Qatar 2029
Led the Qatar Olympic Committee during the period in which Qatar secured the hosting rights for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2029, which will be the first edition of the tournament staged in the Middle East.
Asian Games Doha 2030
Oversees preparations for the Doha 2030 Asian Games as Chairman of the Organising Committee Board, following an approach that combines efficient delivery and sustainability while maximising the use of existing venues and strengthening the Games’ long-term legacy.
Lifelong Commitment to
Sport
Founder of Al Shaqab Racing in 2014, advancing Qatar’s global profile in horse racing through elite competition, breeding excellence and a long-term commitment to the sport.
Leads the development of Al Shaqab’s equestrian facilities and programmes through his chairmanship of the Board and Steering Committee, while strengthening Qatar’s role across racing, breeding and horse sport.
Supports initiatives through the Olympic Refuge Foundation Board that use sport to create safer spaces, strengthen inclusion and empower communities affected by displacement.
Continued supporting leadership education and institutional capacity building through programmes at Qatar Leadership Academy, extending his contribution to the development of young leaders beyond his formal advisory role.