Team Qatar has savoured a historic sporting moment as the largest team to ever represent the nation at the Olympic Games participated in the official Opening Ceremony of Rio 2016.
The team comprising 38 athletes across 10 sports was led by equestrian star Sheikh Ali Khalid al-Thani who was bestowed the honour of being the nation’s flagbearer by the Qatar Olympic Committee.  
Sheikh Ali was welcomed by fans and officials into the legendary Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro alongside fellow athletes, including skeet shooting bronze medallist from London 2012 Nasser al-Attiyah, swimmers Noah al-Khulaifi and Nada Arakji and other members of the contingent.
Speaking after the opening ceremony, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, president of the Qatar Olympic Committee, said: “Each step taken by our athletes tonight on the greatest sporting stage of all represents a proud and important step forward for Qatar. As millions watch on, I am filled with huge pride to witness the largest team in Qatar’s Olympic history take its place alongside the leading sports nations of the world.
“Qatar’s athletes are fulfilling our country’s promise and commitment to sport and the Olympic values. After years of hard work and preparation I’m confident new Qatari role models will emerge and grasp their opportunity to inspire the next generation of athletes of our nation. I urge every Qatari to join Team Qatar through our campaign #YallaQatar as all our athletes need to feel your support.”        
On a spectacular opening night in Rio, Qatar’s incredible sporting progress was evident to all. Rio 2016 marks a significant milestone with athletes representing Qatar in the Olympics for the very first time in handball, beach volleyball, weightlifting, judo and boxing.
Dr Thani Abdulrahman al-Kuwari, secretary general of the Qatar Olympic Committee, said  that in Rio 2016, Qatar would add five new sports to its Olympic achievements.
“That is a huge statement and proves we have truly developed a pathway for our athletes to compete at the highest level,” he said.
“Competing in any Olympics in any sport represents success and we expect that success to grow and develop with our experience over the next two weeks. Qatar’s sporting future burns as bright as the Olympic torch lit here (on Friday night),”  he said.
 “Our vision to become a leading nation in bringing the world together through sustainable development in sport is clearly becoming a reality.”
Qatar’s sporting heroes will hope to live up to the impact that Bayt Qatar has had in Brazil and on the people of Rio. Following a memorable opening which included International Olympic Committee members, International Federation presidents and National Olympic Committee presidents and sporting superstars, Qatar Olympic Committee’s hospitality house is now sold out to public visitors for the first four days.  
Created to welcome people from around the world to share Qatar’s unique culture, its warm hospitality and passion for the Olympic Movement, Casa Daros, an iconic former museum at a historical heritage site in Botafogo has proved a stunning hit with locals and tourists alike.


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