Almost a full year after it was supposed to kick off on July 24, 2020, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games officially opened amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that caused its delay.
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka, the first Asian player who reached the world ranking of no. 1, lit the cauldron that capped a four-hour opening ceremony with its theme of solidarity and perseverance in a celebratory and yet subdued way. Before getting to Osaka, the torch, designed to resemble five petals that paid homage to the cherry blossom, was passed from several other people, including New York Yankees legend Hideki Matsui and Paralympian Tsuchida Wakako.
Usually grandiose, the Summer Games officially unfurled before only 1,000 VIPS who served as the audience inside the more than 60,000 capacity of the Olympic Stadium. No spectators were allowed as a precautionary measure against the pandemic, while outside, protesters had gathered demanding for the cancellation of the Summer Games, fearing that it might exacerbate the rising numbers of COVID cases in Japan.
If you missed the opening ceremonies, here is a video and some photos of the quintessentially prepared event that saw performances from Japanese artists.
TOKYO, JAPAN - Fireworks explode during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
The Olympic Flame and Cauldron next to the Japanese and Olympic flags during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
TOKYO, JAPAN - Flag bearers Sue Bird and Eddy Alvarez of Team United States lead their team in during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
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