Coe expects 'full house' at Qatar worlds despite Gulf crisis

World athletics chief Sebastian Coe told AFP on Thursday that he expects a "full house" of countries to compete at this year's world championships in Qatar despite the ongoing Gulf blockade.

A swathe of countries in the Middle East and Africa have cut diplomatic and transport ties with the gas-rich state, claiming it supports terrorism -- a charge Doha denies.

But the IAAF president, speaking to AFP at the Sport Business Summit in Abu Dhabi, said he could "see no reason" why all countries wouldn't be present at the September-October championships.

"We have open dialogue with all those federations, and yes it's very important that we have a full house at our world championships. I see no reason why we shouldn't," said Coe.

He added: "I'm not going to maintain a running commentary on those conversations that have taken place and will continue to take place, but I'm pretty confident and optimistic that there is a recognition that the primacy of sport is very important."

The blockade in ..