The Qatar Olympic Committee officially opened Qatar House in Rio de Janeiro at a major opening ceremony attended by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, along with a number of officials and prominent figures from the world of sport. Qatar’s Olympic hospitality house will showcase Qatar’s rich culture, heritage and great passion for sport throughout the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani welcomed the leading Olympic figures who came to celebrate the official opening of Qatar House, including members of the International Olympic Committee, presidents of international federations, and the president of the Association of National Olympic Committees. Those present were treated to a stunning show that demonstrated the power of the Olympic spirit and the importance of inspiring and empowering young people through sport.
HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani expressed his happiness at the event during the opening ceremony, saying: “The Olympic Games are our precious opportunity to achieve our goal of linking sport, education and cultural diversity in a genuine celebration of the Olympic spirit. Qatar is a country passionate about sport in all its forms, and we believe in the power of sport and its ability to unite different cultures and bring together diverse beliefs and social backgrounds under one banner. Through sport, we can also promote human values such as mutual understanding, friendship and respect, and this is exactly what we seek to achieve and spread among people through Qatar House. We are delighted to welcome visitors from all over the world to discover Qatar’s unique culture and renowned hospitality, and also to share our passion for the global Olympic movement.”
Among those present at the opening ceremony were members of Qatar’s largest-ever Olympic team, made up of 38 athletes who will compete across 10 different sports. Team Qatar will begin its Olympic competition with swimmer Nada Arakji — the first Qatari female swimmer and a two-time Olympian — in the pool. Sheikh Joaan said of Team Qatar during the opening ceremony: “We are very proud of every athlete on Team Qatar. We are with you and will support you all, and we are all confident that you will make the whole of the Qatari people proud of you. Simply taking part and competing at the Olympic Games is an amazing achievement in itself, and we have no doubt that Team Qatar will help produce a new generation of Olympic champions.”
It is worth noting that the historic Casa Daros museum, located on an ancient heritage site, underwent remarkable preparations to host Qatar House, which aims to bring the spirit of Qatar to the heart of Rio. At the centre of the house is an open-air market featuring a range of heritage activities, including Arabic calligraphy displays, palm-frond basket weaving, and henna painting. A stage was also built for live music performances, along with a large screen showing live Olympic competition and a series of short films about all the members of Team Qatar. Other attractions to be found at Qatar House include a series of exhibitions showcasing the history of Qatar, its culture and its development into a global sporting hub.
