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TheTokyo Summer Olympicsstarted off in style!
Most of the arena was left empty, with no spectators allowed other than select organizers, sponsors, dignitaries and press. The games had previously been subject to a year-long delay due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.
Here are all the incredible moments from the exciting celebration.
A Fitting Tribute to First Responders
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Along with being a national champion boxer, Tsubata is also a nurse who treated COVID-19 patients at a hospital outside of Tokyo through the pandemic.
Minutes later, spectators in-person and at home were asked to observe a moment of silence for “all those we have lost,” an announcer shared.
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Dr. Jill Biden Makes an Appearance
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.DYLAN MARTINEZ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
First Lady Dr.Jill Bidenjoined the athletes — and scores of coaches, support staff and press — as sheled the American delegation.
A masked Biden, 70, attended the opening ceremony wearing a black-and-white polka dot dress and pearls.
The White House said earlier this month that Bidenwould represent the U.S.at the games in lieu of PresidentJoe Biden. She will host a watch party at the embassy in Tokyo for the U.S. vs. Mexico softball game and is expected to attend various events in support of American athletes, the White House says.
Tap Dancers Perform a Traditional Work Song
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During the first half of the show, a group of tap dancers dressed as carpenters performed to a traditional work song called the “Kiyari Uta.” The song dates back to the country’s Edo period, which was between 1603 and 1867, according to event organizers. There are two versions traditionally sung — one during the moving of things such as lumber, and one when “tamping down the earth.”
A Parade of Athletes — and Memorable Fashion
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Athletes walked to a medley of orchestral versions of Japanese video game music from Final Fantasy, Mario, Sonic, Dragon Quest and Zelda.
Turning up the heat, for the third straight Olympics,Tongan athlete Pita Taufatofuawent for a shirtless, oiled-up look as he carried his country’s flag at the opening ceremony. Additionally, rower RII Riilio from the small archipelago country of Vanuatu similarly carried their flag while baring his own oiled-up chest.
Sue Bird and Eddie Alvarez Carry the American Flag
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The basketball star, 40, and the baseball player, 31,served as flag bearersduring the parade of nations for America’s turn to walk. “This is absolutely incredible, thank God I have Sue here holding me up because I’m freaking out a little bit, I’m not going to lie,” Alvarez told NBC of his big moment. “This is so emotional and I’m feeling the energy of my team right now and it’s so incredible guys.”
Added Bird, “It’s very difficult to describe — the energy is insane. I know our country’s in a tough moment right now but right now we all feel unified and it’s incredible.”
John Legend, Keith Urban and More Perform a Stirring Rendition of ‘Imagine’ as Drones Light Up the Sky
Drones form the globe at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony.Leon Neal/Getty Images
The world came together at the opening ceremony with the help of a few famous performers.
In a surprise, pre-recorded appearance,John Legend,Keith Urban, Angélique Kidjo, Alejandro Sanz and the Suginami Junior Chorus performed John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s song “Imagine” towards the end of the ceremony.
Singing against a white background, the video performance played as athlete representatives from each country gathered below on the opening ceremony stage.
Meanwhile, above the stadium, event organizers had 1,800 drones form the Tokyo Olympics logo before making the globe.
Performers Acted Out 50 Pictograms Representing Each Olympic Sport
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Golf, football, gymnastics — oh my!
In one of the biggest standout moments, a group of performers acted out each Olympic event based on pictograms, rapidly changing from one sport to the next.
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A Traditional Kabuki Performance with a Side of Piano
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As the ceremony came closer to its end, actor Ichikawa Ebizo put on a traditional Kabuki performance alongside skilled pianist Hiromi.
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The theatrical art form of kabuki gets its name from the three characters for music, dance, and skill, “accurately embodying its status as a comprehensive art,” according to event organizers.
“Throughout its 400-year history, kabuki has grown and changed to reflect the tastes of its audiences, while producing a great variety of works,” they add.
Naomi Osaka Proudly Lights the Olympic Cauldron
Naomi Osaka.Natacha Pisarenko/AP/Shutterstock
Closing out the hours-long ceremony,Naomi Osakalit the cauldron with the Olympic torch, which was handed off several times after entering the stadium, including from New York Yankees legend Hideki Matsui and a Japanese doctor and nurse.
Paralympian Tsuchida Wakako then passed the torch on to several local students, who in turn took it to Osaka, 23.
“Undoubtedly thegreatest athletic achievement and honorI will ever have in my life,” she said afterwards. “I have no words to describe the feelings I have right now but I do know I am currently filled with gratefulness and thankfulness.”
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The big moment came shortly after Osaka took a step back from the spotlight, citing her mental health, and opted to sit out the 2021 French Open and Wimbledon. In her first match in nearly two months, Osaka is set to take on 52nd-ranked Saisai Zheng of China in the opening round of the Olympic tournament.
RELATED VIDEO: Athletes Reveal Their Pre-Competition Rituals Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics
The international event, which was originally meant to take place in the summer of 2020 but was rescheduled due to the pandemic, has various safety protocols in place, including a ban on all spectators.
To learn more about Team USA, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Tokyo Olympics beginning July 23rd and the Tokyo Paralympics beginning August 24th on NBC.
source: people.com
