Tokyo: Japan’s Emperor Naruhito on Friday announced on the empty Olympic Stadium, I declare open the Games of Tokyo – 2021. Naruhito at the time of opening ceremony of Olympic Games was wearing a white surgical mask, the stripped down opening ceremony, simplified to reduce Covid – 19 risks, unfolded in front of fewer than 1,000 VIPs and several thousand athletes.

Nearly 2,000 synchronized drones formed a revolving globe over the stadium, in one visual highlight to a cover version of John Lennon’s Imagine. Nearly 5, 700 athletes were participated in the opening ceremony, following Covid – 19 protocols by wearing masks at the Tokyo Olympics.

Spectacular Opening Ceremony of #TokyoOlympics 2020#Cheer4India #Tokyo2020 #Olympics @IndiaSports @ianuragthakur @Anurag_Office@Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/3c8DMgGcb8

— DD India (@DDIndialive) July 23, 2021

IOC President Thomas Bach in his address said today is a moment of hope. He acknowledged the Games would be very different from what all of us had imagined. The 16 day scheduled Olympic Games, will conduct 33 sports categories with 339 gold medals after the Covid – 19 pandemic compelled organisers to make this the first Games with virtually no spectators.

Let the games begin 🔥@naomiosaka lights the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony of the #TokyoOlympics 🎌 pic.twitter.com/2zn0R8RMFj

— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) July 23, 2021

But hundreds of people gathered outside the stadium cheering and applauding as the fireworks exploded overhead. Organisers will hope public opinion turns when the full sporting programme starts on Saturday, with swimming, gymnastics, road cycling and tennis among the top attractions. Surfing, skateboarding, sport climbing and karate are all making their Olympic debut, while New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will become the Games’ first transgender athlete.

The opening ceremony concluded with the storied tradition of lighting the Olympic flame at Olympic Stadium. Tennis star Naomi Osaka who has born in Japan and is participating for her home country at the Games had the honor of lighting the cauldron with the Olympic flame, which signaled the start of the Tokyo Olympics.

MC Mary Kom 🤝 🇮🇳 @manpreetpawar07#TeamIndia's flag bearers lead their contingent out at the #Tokyo2020 #OpeningCeremony #IND#BestOfTokyo | #UnitedByEmotion | #StrongerTogether | @MangteC pic.twitter.com/dTkdKlpsAr

— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) July 23, 2021

Indian Woman Wrestlers Mary Kom and Manpreet Singh are the flag bearers of the Indian Olympic contingent participated Tokyo Olympic – 2021 parade in the opening ceremony.