Naomi Osaka lights torch as Games get started in Tokyo
After much anticipation, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are finally underway. After being postponed over 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening ceremonies of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are took place on Friday morning at Olympic Stadium in the host city.
The ceremony marked the formal beginning of the Games, which will last from July 23 through August 8. The opening ceremony was the first taste of the massive time difference for Americans planning to follow action at the Games as it is unfolding in Tokyo.
While it was early morning in America, the ceremonies began at 8 p.m. — prime time — in Tokyo. The opening ceremonies were quite a bit different with fans not being allowed at attend the Summer Games. Fans are not allowed to attend any of the events throughout the Tokyo Olympics due to the elevation in COVID-19 cases in Japan.
During the Parade of Nations, the United States was led by women’s basketball star Sue Bird and baseball infielder Eddy Alvarez, who served as the flag bearers.
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.
Naomi Osaka lights the Olympic cauldron 👏 #Tokyo2020
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) July 23, 2021
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