She opened up the house along with Spanish sports minister José Ignacio Wert and Madrid 2020 bid leader Alejandro Blanco, also the President of the Spanish Olympic Committee.

The Spanish Queen (pictured top, in yellow) was the highest profile of the figures who came here today, which included a number of members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Among them were Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, the son of the former IOC President, Ukrainian pole vaulting legend Sergey Bubka and Prince Albert of Monaco.

The leader of the Tokyo 2020 bid, Tsunekazu Takeda, also paid the Spanish a visit, meeting with the rival bid team from Madrid, with whom they are battling for the right to host the Olympic and Paralympics in eight years' time.

Casa de España features a restaurant and bar, as well as an area showing their plans for the Madrid 2020 Olympic bid.


A highly detailed interactive screen can be used to show members of the IOC and the media every single venue and part of the Madrid 2020 bid, as well as a display of the city's cultural delights.

As the Spanish Olympic Committee are celebrating their 100th anniversary, the house also has pictures of every single Spanish medallist in modern Olympic history.

Speaking at the opening, Wert said that the Games are "the culmination of four years of sacrifice" and that though medals are important, that so was "effort, solidarity and perseverance".

"We are proud that the Queen of Spain is wearing the official uniform today," Blanco added.

"On this important day, the opening of the Olympic Games, we are also honoured by the presence of the leader of Spanish sport, Queen Sofia."

Outside the Casa de España this afternoon was a London-style double-decker bus in the Spanish colours, designed by Bosco, the team's partner.

Featuring the message "Hello London", the bus was a popular feature with which guests and athletes alike enjoyed.

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