The Qatari flag was raised at the Olympic village in London today at 11am BST (1pm Qatar time.) 

Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani arrived in the city yesterday ahead of the opening of the Games on Friday.

“Qatar’s positive participation in the upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games is based on our commitment and pioneering strategy to attend all sports competitions to gain experience and to achieve glory”, he told the Gulf Times. 

On Thursday, the QOC will open Bayt Qatar (House of Qatar) at the Institute of Engineering and Technology at Savoy Place in the centre of the UK’s capital. 

Bayt Qatar is designed to offer members of the QOC and its partners, athletes, media and guests a luxurious and convenient venue throughout the Games.

12 athletes will represent Qatar in London.  

They are:  Nasser al-Attiyiah (Skeet), Rashid al-Thaba (Trap/Double Trap), Noor al-Malki (100m), Hamza Driouch and Mohamed al-Qarni (1500m), Mohamed Bakheet (Marathon), Mutaz Barsham (High Jump), Musaab Abdulrahman Balah (800m), Nada Wafa Arkagi and Ahmed Gheith al-Attari (swimming freestyle), Bahia al-Hamad (shooting) and Aia Magdi (Table Tennis).

Are you excited about the Games? Will you be supporting Qatar’s team?

Credit: Photo courtesy of QOC’s Facebook page