The Qatar Olympic Committee has played host to a Rio 2016 reception as people from around the Olympic Movement, including ANOC secretary general Gunilla Lindberg, attended Qatar House ©ANOC

The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has played host to a Rio 2016 reception as people from around the Olympic Movement, including Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) secretary general Gunilla Lindberg, attended Qatar House.

QOC President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani welcomed Lindberg to the reception as well as other notable guests, including International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president and Rio 2016 Coordination Commission chair Nawal El Moutawakel.

Also present was Marisol Casado, President of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and an IOC member, and Timothy Fok, President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong.  

Bayt Qatar, as the Qatar House is named, is open for the duration of Rio 2016 and aims to show off Qatar’s history, music and gastronomy.

The House simulates a traditional Qatari souk and offers henna painting, Arab calligraphy and Arab food.

Nine young Brazilian athletes attended Bayt House last week ©insidethegames
Nine young Brazilian athletes attended Bayt House last week ©insidethegames

National Olympic Committees from around the world will also have the opportunity to experience Qatar’s hospitality later this year as Doha hosts the ANOC General Assembly, the ANOC Awards and a number of other ANOC meetings between November 13 and 16.

Qatar’s capital is also due to stage the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in 2019.

Last week, nine young Brazilian athletes - all of whom are booked for a training trip in November to Doha’s Aspire Academy - attended Bayt House and received the surprise gift of tickets for the Rio 2016 athletics programme on Tuesday (August 16) from Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, secretary general of the QOC.