Not only is the Qatari government killing scores of (let’s not mince words) slaves in order to build the infrastructure necessary to host the 2022 World Cup, it also forced a bunch of them to participate in a state-sponsored “megamarathon” in an attempt to set a dopey Guinness World Record. Many of the laborers were reportedly forced to run while wearing jeans and flip-flops, or no shoes at all.


From the Doha News:

One runner who contacted Doha News after the event described the marathon as “one of the most disorganized and chaotic events I have ever had the displeasure of attending.” That participant observed hundreds of men who appeared to be laborers, wearing jeans, flip-flops or running barefoot. “Others were forced to walk several kilometers before the organizers obviously realized they would not finish, and so they were loaded back into their busses and sent away,” the runner said.


And from another runner who contacted Doha News:

“The worst part of all was that there was a large mass of laborers wearing jeans, flip flops and no proper running equipment… Some laborers tried to leave but were turned back and were yelled at that they need to stay and cross the line.”

Ironically, the marathon organizers’ official website touted the event as one that “...represents a decisive response to the campaign waged by the sector of envious haters on the success of Qatar to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and to their false allegations of persecution of workers and residents in our beloved country.”


The organizers were hoping to set a world record for the most runners participating in a single marathon. They fell at least 17,000 runners short of their goal.

Again, the United States should boycott the 2022 World Cup.


[Doha News]

Photo via marathon Facebook page