The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has officially opened Bayt Qatar in Rio de Janeiro after a reception attended by QOC President H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani and officials from the world of sport, with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) presenting stadium progress and legacy plans to visiting dignitaries. Qatar's Olympic hospitality house will showcase the country's culture, heritage and passion for sport throughout the Olympic Games.

H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani 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.

Speaking from the Opening Reception, H.E. Sheikh Joaan, said:"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. This is exactly what we aim to spread through Bayt Qatar. We will welcome people from around the world to share Qatar's unique culture, its warm hospitality and passion for the Olympic Movement."

The reception was also attended by members of Qatar's biggest-ever athlete delegation in the history of the Olympics. Team Qatar will be represented by 38 athletes across 10 sports and will begin their action on Saturday 6^th August when Qatar's first-ever two-time female Olympian, Nada Arakji, competes in the swimming.

H.E. Sheikh Joaan also commented on Team Qatar at the reception and said: "We are very proud of every member of Team Qatar. We are right behind you all and we know that you will make the whole of Qatar proud as well. Competing at an Olympic Games is a fantastic achievement in itself - and we have no doubt that they will inspire a new generation of Olympic heroes."

With the opening of the Olympic Games taking place in Brazil on Friday, Bayt Qatar will host for the duration of the Olympics everything related to Qatar's sporting nation and the team in Rio de Janeiro, as well as showcasing Qatar's own preparations to host the world in 2022.

Nasser Al Khater, SC Assistant Secretary General for Tournament Affairs, said: "We are very happy to be a part of Bayt Qatar, I think it is very important that we have a presence at the Olympic Games. For us as the Supreme Committee this is an important milestone in the journey of Qatari sports. It is important for us to be here, communicating our progress and our legacy plans. We are very happy with the opening. There were IOC members there and we had the opportunity to show some of our plans to them. It was an impressive opening, and we look forward to being a part of Bayt Qatar for the rest of the Olympic Games."

A host of dignitaries and officials from around the world attended the SC's presence at Bayt Qatar in the opening days, as well as athletes from Team Qatar and football players such as Brazil's 2002 FIFA World Cup™ winning captain Cafu, and former Al Sadd midfielder Felipe George.

"We took this opportunity to highlight the progress on Al Rayyan Stadium, which is going into fully-fledged construction and we want to raise further awareness around it and the legacy plans in the surrounding precinct," added Al Khater.

Qatar's national team handball coach Valero Rivera also visited the SC's presence in Rio de Janeiro together with the national team as it prepares to take part in the 2016 Olympic Games.

"It is marvelous what Qatar is doing to prepare for this World Cup in 2022. I saw first hand during the handball World Cup in 2015 what Qatar is able to organise, which was the best World Cup in history. Now I am also sure Qatar will do the same for the football World Cup," said Rivera.

"I have been living in Qatar for three years now, and I have seen how rapidly this country develops and grows. I am sure that everyone who comes in 2022 will be astonished by this country. I am happy with how we have prepared for the Olympics. We have a difficult group, with Croatia, Denmark and Argentina. But we are one of the teams here, and we will take it step by step, game by game, and hope to achieve something important."

The SC will continue with the presence at Bayt Qatar in Rio de Janeiro until 21 August, informing visitors from the Olympic Games and the general public about Qatar's legacy plans, progress and preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™.