Fans are encouraged to book their seats as the IAAF World Championships countdown continues

Organisers of this year’s IAAF World Championships in Doha are encouraging people to get involved as the event reaches its ’50 days to go’ milestone.

The biggest athletics event of the year begins on September 27 and will see thousands of athletes, support teams and fans descend on the Khalifa International Stadium for 10 days of competition.

With the countdown now well and truly on, the local organising committee is focusing on some of the stories of key people helping to deliver the championships – from the guidance of H.E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, through to a chief medical officer who has worked at championships across the globe.

More on the ’50 faces behind Doha 2019′, including athletes Mutaz Essa Barshim, Abubaker Haydar Abdalla, Mariam Farid and Owaab Barrow, can be read here.

READ MORE: Ones to watch at the IAAF World Championships Doha 2019

With residents from over 80 different countries calling Qatar their home, a real effort has been made to unite everybody. The large expat community in Qatar includes 1991 world 10,000m champion Liz McColgan, whose well-established Doha Athletic Club sees sporting hopefuls of all ages train under her guidance.

“I love the kids that I coach as I have met many different nationalities in my six years in Doha,” she said.

“For sport, Doha has some of the best facilities in the world and as a country I love how strong it is in its heritage and culture.”

The multicultural feel-good vibes will be echoed around the stadium during the championships, but fans will also get a taste of different communities before even entering Khalifa International Stadium, thanks to the vibrant World Athletics Village fan zone.

It will offer cuisine from across the world, along with live entertainment getting under way each afternoon, with different community groups giving high energy performances to add to the excitement before the competition even begins.

READ MORE: Doha can deliver

Ensuring the traditional Qatari hospitality is showcased to the world, the local organising committee has devised strong links across the community which, when combining the number of schoolchildren, along with initiatives and partner engagement, will mean that over 100,000 people in Qatar have played a role in the IAAF World Athletics Championships, which still has tickets available.

“This is the biggest sporting event that the region has ever hosted so why would people not want to come and watch it or play a part?” said Sheikha Asma Al Thani, director of marketing and communications for the local organising committee.

“We have seen amazing efforts across the country from people getting involved, which is clear from the diverse people shown in the 50 days countdown.

“The championships will see Qatar unite with the whole world, so no matter where you are from there is a strong connection with your own culture and everybody can help make sure that the world knows how great of a country Qatar is with so much to offer.”