2020 TOKYO OLYMPIC: TOKYO Japan- Low-key ceremony ushers in COVID-delayed Tokyo Olympics
.
TOKYO (AFP) – The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics took place yesterday in a nearly empty stadium after a year-long pandemic postponement and a build-up marred by scandal and controversy.
The stripped-back celebration began with a video showing athletes training at home during the pandemic, before fireworks burst into the air above the Olympic Stadium.
Just a few hundred officials and dignitaries were in the stands of the 68,000-seat venue, including French President Emmanuel Macron, United States (US) First Lady Jill Biden, and Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, who declared the Games open.
The Olympics have faced opposition in Japan over fears the gathering of 11,000 athletes could trigger a super-spreader event, and is taking place under strict virus measures.
Overseas fans are banned for the first time in the history of the Games, and domestic spectators can only watch events at a handful of venues.
.
‘Pandemic’ Games open with handful of VIPs
Fireworks light up the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Inset shows Filipino judoka Kiyomi Watanabe and boxer Eumir Marcial carrying the Philippine flag as they lead the country’s delegation to the Tokyo Olympics on Friday, July 23, 2021. AFP
.
The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics took place on Friday in a nearly empty stadium after a year-long pandemic postponement and a build-up marred by scandal and controversy.
.
The stripped-back celebration began with a video showing athletes training at home during the pandemic before fireworks burst into the air above the Olympic Stadium.Just a few hundred officials and dignitaries were in the stands of the 68,000-seat venue, including French President Emmanuel Macron, US First Lady Jill Biden, and Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, who declared the Games open.The Olympics have faced opposition in Japan over fears the global gathering of 11,000 athletes could trigger a super-spreader event, and is taking place under strict virus measures.
.
A supporter takes photos as fireworks light up the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
In photos: Tokyo 2020 Olympics opening ceremony
MANILA, Philippines — A “somber” and toned down opening ceremonies ushered in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Friday at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.
The pandemic-hit Games were welcomed with an almost empty stadium as fans were banned from events still due to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.
Highlights of the four-hour long program included a variety of performances that put the culture of Japan on center stage.
In photos: Tokyo 2020 Olympics opening ceremony
An overview shows performers and athlete delegations taking part in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
Fireworks go off around the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
.
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
National swimmer to compete in Tokyo Olympics today
.
LAOS
Lao swimmers train ahead of Olympic Games in Tokyo
Two Lao swimmers are making waves in Tokyo as they hit the Olympic-sized …Mo
.
MALAYSIA
Now for our first ever Olympic gold
THE Tokyo Olympic Games begin today after a one-year postponement due to the Covid-19 pandemic and there’s no better “vaccine” to cheer up the entire nation in these gloomy times than for our athletes to win Malaysia’s first ever Olympic gold medal.
The Malay phrase “Ini kali lah” (This time it is) inspires me as a veteran journalist to foretell that the Olympic gold medal, the world’s greatest and most prestigious prize in sports, and the most elusive one for Malaysia, is highly likely to be won this time around.
Let’s get straight to the point, Malaysia’s best hopes of winning an Olympic gold is always in badminton, the one sport that we have been a world power ever since the 1950’s.
We have produced so many badminton greats of world reckoning over the past six decades both in men’s singles and doubles.
.
PHILIPPINES
.
MANILA, Philippines — A “somber” and toned down opening ceremonies ushered in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Friday at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.
Eight delegates marched for Team Philippines in the Parade of Nations, including flag bearers Judoka Kiyomi Watanabe and pug Eumir Marcial.
The rest of the Philippine contingent were sports officials led by chef de mission Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.
VIET NAM
Flying the flag for the nation
HÀ NỘI — Leading the Vietnamese contingent, athletes Quách Thị Lan and Nguyễn Huy Hoàng, proudly carried the national flag aloft during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics last night.
For the first time in the history of the Games, each nation that took part was led by both a female and male athlete, as part of the International Olympic Committee’s efforts to push gender equality.
Swimmer Hoàng and runner Lan were bestowed the honour by the Việt Nam Olympic Committee.
.
USA
USA’s delegation parade during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
