Rio, May 31, 2016 – More than 30 countries, and a number of companies, have now confirmed the location for their official residences, many of which will be open to the public. At prime locations across the city, they will offer spectacular settings for watching the sport on big screens, socialising and experiencing the culture and gastronomy of each venue’s host.
Hospitality houses have become a tradition of recent Olympic Games; at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 they were some of the most popular places for athletes and fans to let their hair down.
Half of the houses in Rio will be open to the public, while entry to some country houses will be restricted to athletes and invited guests only. Entry to most of the open houses will be free.
There will be hospitality houses all over the centre of the city and in the main beach districts, located in a variety of cultural centres, sports clubs and historic buildings.
European NOCs will offer in Rio various opportunities to athletes and guests. Among many others:
– Austria will operate a round-the-clock bakery and delicatessen, serving up treats such as Kornspitz bread and, of course, wiener schnitzel.
– France will be based amid the glamour of the horse-racing track near the lagoon (Lagoa)
– Germany will have two houses; one open to the public on Leblon beach and another closed location in Barra da Tijuca.
-The British house, which will not be open to the public, will be located in the historic Parque Lage, which is nestled under the Christ the Redeemer statue.
– Casa Italia, will be a former club-hotel on a bluff overlooking the ocean, 20 km from the Olympic Village. It will host exhibitions dedicated to Made in Italy, food and wine. The culinary tradition will be represented by Chef Davide Oldani.
– The Netherlands will set up the celebrated ‘Holland Heineken House’ is sure to be a popular location for watching events; by night, it is always one of the most sought-after locations for Olympic athletes and spectators to party. The Dutch are charging 15 euros for entry – excluding drinks.
– Portugal, in keeping with their maritime history, will use a historic sailing ship as their residence.
– The Swiss House will be one of the first to open. From 1 August, visitors will be able to ice skate and indulge in chocolate, raclette and other Alpine delicacies.

For Europe, the hospitality houses in Rio also list Russia, Czech Republic, Slovakia and others.
Host country Brazil will run one of the largest hospitality houses in Rio. Casa Brasil will be located across two former warehouses in the city’s renovated waterfront district. Visitors will be able to sample Brazilian coffee, chocolate, cachaça and wine.
The 54 African delegations coming to the Games will share “Casa África” one hospitality house in Barra. Visitors will be able to experience a 60-seat airplane simulator, watch a short film about the continent and participate in a lottery to get the chance to ‘land’ the plane. There will also be plane tickets to be won. One of the highlights of the house will be a fashion show in which Afro-Brazilian models will wear typical African clothes and costumes on the catwalk.
Although the focus of the houses is on entertainment and promotion, many of the countries coming to Rio plan to leave a legacy to the city long after the Games have ended. Denmark, in keeping with its cycling traditions, will donate 65 bicycles to the city as well as toys for schools and a massive mock-up of the city made entirely of bricks from house sponsor Lego, while the Swiss will leave behind them a modernised baseball pitch as a legacy for the city of Rio.
The list is not finished yet…