Qatari flag hoisted in Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, Bayt Qatar opens

The Qatari flag was hoisted in the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro where the Olympic Games are starting on Friday.

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, president of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and head of the Qatari mission to the Games, attended the ceremony, which marks the official entry of the Qatari mission to the village.

QOC Secretary General Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari also attended the ceremony along with Mohamed Issa Al Fadala, head of the administrative delegation of the Qatari Olympic mission, and a number of federation presidents, executives and Qatari athletes.

The ceremony started with the entry of the Qatari delegation in front of the flagpole, where the Qatari national anthem was played, followed by Brazilian traditional performances. The village mayor also gave a welcoming speech for the Qatari delegation as Al Fadala took the stage.

Qatar takes part in the Olympics with its biggest ever delegation since its participation in the Los Angeles Games in 1984.

The delegation comprises 38 athletes representing 10 federations. The Qatari participation in the Games will kick off on Saturday with the qualifiers of swimming, table tennis, boxing, volleyball and beach volleyball.

Meanwhile, the QOC officially opened Bayt Qatar in Rio de Janeiro with a reception attended by Sheikh Joaan and officials from the world of sport.

The Olympic hospitality house will showcase Qatar’s culture, heritage and passion for sport throughout the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Sheikh Joaan welcomed key Olympic figures to mark the official opening of Bayt Qatar, including members of the International Olympic Committee, International Federation Presidents and National Olympic Committee Presidents.

Guests were treated to a spectacular show, which demonstrated the power of Olympism and the importance of inspiring and empowering youth through sport.

“The Olympic Games provide an occasion like no other to bridge sport, culture, education and diversity in a true celebration of Olympism. Qatar is a nation passionate about sport. We believe in the power of sport to unite cultures, backgrounds and beliefs — and encourage mutual understanding, friendship and respect,” said Sheikh Joaan.

Guests were able to sample more of what Bayt Qatar will offer including a fine-dining experience provided by world-renowned chefs, Alex Atala and Aysha Al Tamimi, and an intimate performance by the Doha String Quartet.

Casa Daros, an iconic former museum at a historical heritage site in Botafogo, provides a stunning setting to host Bayt Qatar and will bring the soul of Qatar to the heart of Rio.

At the centre of the house is an outdoor Souq, which will incorporate traditional activities, including Arabic calligraphy, basket weaving and henna hand painting.

A stage will see regular live music performances, and a large screen will show live Olympic action and film screenings for all the family. Additional Bayt Qatar attractions include interactive and innovative exhibitions that will explore Qatar’s history, traditions and development into a global sports hub.

Bayt Qatar will open to the public at 6pm on 4th August and further activities on offer include Ardah sword dancing, fashion shows, Arabic tea and coffee workshops and live graffiti sessions.

All public entry fees will be donated to Futuro Olimpico, an NGO in Rio de Janeiro founded by Olympic medallist Arnaldo de Oliveira, which aims to take athletics to students of Rio’s public schools and provide them with education medical, social, and psychological assistance.

Following the Rio 2016 Games, Bayt Qatar will become a bilingual public school — Eleva School — and as a further legacy, the QOC will donate a library to Eleva School.