Olympics Opening Ceremony Highlights: Tokyo Games Open To Toned-Down Opening Ceremony
Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony: The event took place at nearly empty National Stadium on Friday. with Naomi Osaka lighting the Olympic Cauldron.
The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics took place on Friday in a nearly empty National Stadium after year-long pandemic postponement and a build-up marred by scandal and controversy. The ceremony began with performances and fireworks. It was followed by the parade of participating countries, which placed the foundation for speeches by International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach and Seiko Hashimoto, who is the chief of Tokyo Organising Committee. After the speeches, Japanese Emperor Naruhito opened up The Games, and few more performances took place. Tennis ace Naomi Osaka ended the ceremony by lighting the Olympic Cauldron. The ceremony took place before just a few hundred officials and dignitaries.
- 20:04 (IST)
- 19:04 (IST)The last contingent arrive!Japan have arrived, and they are the last contingent in the parade! They are led by flagbearers Susaki Yui and Rui Hachimura.
The hosts are in the house! #JPN
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
The athletes of the #Tokyo2020 host nation, Japan, enter the stadium, led by wrestler Susaki Yui and basketball player Hachimura Rui. #OpeningCeremony #StrongerTogether @Japan_Olympic pic.twitter.com/4Io7QcroEi - 18:46 (IST)Timeless Pita!Here are the photos of Pita Taufatofua shirtless in Rio 2016, PyeongChang 2018 and now Tokyo 2020:
Rio 2016
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
PyeongChang 2018
Tokyo 2020
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. #OpeningCeremony #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/wEN8eg08YW - 18:36 (IST)Tonga led by a shirtless Pita TaufatofuaPita Taufatofua led Tonga shirtless in Rio 2016 and PyeongChang 2018. He is back once again, and led Tonga shirtless, with Malia Paseka.
He's here! Pita Taufatofua#Tokyo2020 | #UnitedByEmotion | #StrongerTogether | #Olympics pic.twitter.com/cxnjBs71EJ
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 23, 2021 - 18:33 (IST)China, South Korea and CanadaHere are photos of China, South Korea and Canada during the parade at the stadium:
Welcome to #Tokyo2020, People's Republic of China
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
In just over six months' time, the world will come together again for the @Beijing2022 Winter Olympic Games!#OpeningCeremony | #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/VDqHsUHDz9
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
Greetings, @TeamCanada!#OpeningCeremony | #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/M3VhR2RMDvHosts of the most recent Olympic Games #PyeongChang2018, Republic of Korea has arrived! #KOR#StrongerTogether #OpeningCeremony @Korea_Olympic pic.twitter.com/u36A84GbBg
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021 - 18:25 (IST)Some more photos from India's entry in the paradeHere are some photos posted by the Indian Olympic Team's Twitter handle:
#TeamIndia for you the #HindustaniWay#WeAreTeamIndia #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/YcFIDTv6UH
— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) July 23, 2021 - 18:12 (IST)Kenya adds an extra punch to the fashion sense at the National Stadium!Kenya entered the parade in total style, and their uniforms were totally fashionable!
Now that's what we call entering in style. Welcome Kenya! #KEN#StrongerTogether #OpeningCeremony @OlympicsKe pic.twitter.com/BDqudmDJip
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021 - 18:06 (IST)Youngest flagbearer!!!!!The Syrian Arab Republic has been led by Hend Zaza and Ahmad Saber Hamcho. Zaza is a 12-year-old table tennis player!
Remember what you were doing when you were 12?
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 20, 2021
Syrian table tennis player is making her Olympic debut, the youngest athlete @Tokyo2020@ittfworld
Read her inspiring story here:https://t.co/x1ghaQ2xQ7 - 18:01 (IST)Another snapshot of India!Here is another photo of the Indian contingent during the parade:
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) July 23, 2021
- 17:57 (IST)Here are the hosts for the 2023 Olympics!With Brisbane winning the hosting rights for the 2023 Olympics recently, here is the Australian contingent entering the National Stadium:
Their country has just been chosen to host the 2032 Olympic Games!
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
Welcome to the Australian team. #AUS#OpeningCeremony | @AUSOlympicTeam pic.twitter.com/AbIB98I2Iv - 17:52 (IST)Watch: Team India's entry in the parade at the National StadiumHere is the video of the Indian contingent's entry in the National Stadium:
Here they are #TeamIndia at the #OpeningCeremony of #Tokyo2020 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/8K49eWliqF
— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) July 23, 2021 - 17:46 (IST)Team Great Britain!Team Great Britain enter the National Stadium, and are led by Olympic champions Hannah Mills and Mohamed Sbihi.
@TeamGB have arrived at #Tokyo2020!
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
Olympic champions Hannah Mills and Mohamed Sbihi carry the flag.#OpeningCeremony #StrongerTogether #GBR @hannahmills1988 | @moesbihi pic.twitter.com/S59RAUuR0P - 17:44 (IST)Snapshots from India's paradeHere are some snapshots from India's pre-parade entry in the National Stadium:
#TeamIndia is ready for the March past at the Opening Ceremony of #Tokyo2020 #Olympics #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/asJKuvVqoy
— SAIMedia (@Media_SAI) July 23, 2021 - 17:41 (IST)RETRO!The Italian team show off their retro fashion sense and enter the National Stadium in their own unique manner!
Welcome to the #OpeningCeremony @ItaliaTeam_it!
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
Jessica Rossi and @eliaviviani are carrying the flag for the 2026 Winter Olympics hosts. #ITA #StrongerTogether #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/lkjDdBsqhW - 17:33 (IST)FASHION ICONS!Well, here is Angola hijacking the Opening Ceremony with their amazing fashion sense! Just look at those super cool uniforms folks!
Those Angola uniforms. #ANG#OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/OVGeaS3BkM
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021 - 17:31 (IST)Argentina top the energy ranking in the parade!In case you wondered, Argentina's energy in the parade hasn't been matched by any other countries, with most giving out a somber vibe!
Hola, Argentina! #ARG#OpeningCeremony | @PrensaCOA pic.twitter.com/TtVZClc56B
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021 - 17:25 (IST)IOC Refugee Olympic TeamHere is a snapshot of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, who have graced The Games for the second time in history!
For the second time in its history, the Olympic Games welcome the IOC Refugee Olympic Team!
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
Leading the delegation into the stadium are the flagbearers, swimmer @YusraMardini and marathon runner Tachlowini Gabriyesos.#StrongerTogether #OpeningCeremony #EoR @RefugeesOlympic pic.twitter.com/ftVl2Kzd4H - 17:16 (IST)Greece carries on with their Olympics custom with much aplomb!Here is a photo of Greece, who according to custom are the first nation to enter the stadium for the Opening Ceremony:
It is time for the #Tokyo2020 Parade of Athletes
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 23, 2021
As is custom, Greece are the first nation to enter the Olympic Stadium at the #OpeningCeremony #UnitedByEmotion | #StrongerTogether | #Olympics pic.twitter.com/U09CCsCwtY - 17:07 (IST)THE COLOR PALLETE!The colors displayed in the Opening Ceremony shows the aesthetics of the Japanese culture! SUCH BEAUTY AND ELEGANCE! Here is a photo:
The variety and beauty of the costumes worn at the #Tokyo2020 #OpeningCeremony is indescribable.
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 23, 2021
Help us finish this sentence: These costumes are... #StrongerTogether | #UnitedByEmotion - 17:02 (IST)The Olympic Rings have been bought in!As already mentioned, the Olympic Rings have been bought into the stadium! They are made of wood from trees planted by athletes of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics! Each ring is four meters in diameter and is followed by paper lanterns!
The legacy of Tokyo 1964 lives on at #Tokyo2020
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 23, 2021
These Olympic Rings were crafted with wood grown from trees that were planted by athletes years ago when the #Olympics first came to Tokyo#StrongerTogether | #OpeningCeremony #UnitedByEmotion pic.twitter.com/Z1n0HCNK5h - 16:57 (IST)In rememberance!There is also a memorial segment taking place, in remembrance of all those we have lost. Not only for the victims of COVID-19, but also the Olympians who have died at the Games in the past. There is also a mention of the Israeli team members who were killed at Munich 1972.
- 16:54 (IST)Light show!Here is a snapshot from the light show at the Opening Ceremony:
The light show at the #Tokyo2020 #OpeningCeremony
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 23, 2021
What do you see in the lights? #UnitedByEmotion | #StrongerTogether | #Olympics pic.twitter.com/PKu3YGGY76 - 16:52 (IST)The flag of Japan!The flag of Japan has also been bought in, and is being carried by Miyake Yoshinobu, Takahashi Naoko, Tabata Momoha, Sakai Hibiki, Dohi Keita and Asaba Mizuki.
The Japanese flag has entered the Olympic stadium at the #Tokyo2020 #OpeningCeremony#UnitedByEmotion | #StrongerTogether | #Olympics pic.twitter.com/WjcL2zeX8U
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 23, 2021 - 16:47 (IST)"Apart, but not alone."The Opening Ceremony has also begun on an emotional note, with plenty of emphasis being put on the COVID-19 pandemic, as many athletes have had to train in moments of isolation.
Apart, but not alone.
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
With the emergence of COVID-19, many athletes had to train for this moment in isolation. But they were always connected by their hope and shared passion. #StrongerTogether #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/7teAvhljXe