Naomi Osaka has kickstarted the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by lighting the iconic flame as part of a very poignant - yet show-stopping - opening ceremony. Needless to say, the Games are taking place a year later than originally planned due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. [[youtubewidget||https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RUNeh4M8NU]] Because of the continuing rise in cases at this time, the opening ceremony was worlds away from the usual spectacles seen at the sporting event. The tone was a somber one, in keeping with the events of the last year and a half or so. "Today is a moment of hope," said Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), per <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/57929293" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a>. "Yes, it is very different from what all of us had imagined. But let us cherish this moment because finally, we are all here together." [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020/status/1418584274198962181]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020/status/1418585044126375939]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020/status/1418586416196452354]] Due to Tokyo being in a state of emergency with Covid numbers through the roof, there was a noticeable lack of crowd and the athletes were visibly socially distanced at the event. "Here is a vision for the future, one that embodies 'unity in diversity', one of peace and respect for one another," said Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto, per <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/57929293" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a>. "This is the power of sport, and an expression of the fundamental values of the Olympic movement. This is its essence." [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020/status/1418585875269652481]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020/status/1418584011350310915]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020/status/1418582417628041216]] The Olympic cauldron was also featured at the ceremony, representing the sun shining over Mount Fuji. Later on, it started opening like a flower, to embody "vitality and hope". The Japanese flag was carried into the stadium by athletes as well as healthcare workers before a moment of silence took place in memory of those who had passed away. Shortly after, the Olympic rings were formed, made from timber from trees that were grown of the seeds brought by athletes back in 1964 - the last time the Olympics were held in Tokyo. Musicians at the ceremony included John Legend, Keith Urban, and a special song was played by Susan Boyle. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020/status/1418576347027283984]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020/status/1418573922547634183]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020/status/1418572604160372737]] Tennis ace Naomi Osaka was the one to light the Olympic flame after a group of six students brought it closer to the stage. Osaka brought the flame to the center of the stage, before a staircase emerged, the cauldron opened and Osaka walked to the top. The Olympic and Japanese flags blowing in the breeze off to her left. She dipped the flame in, the cauldron ignited and fireworks filled the sky. Later on in the show-stopping ceremony, more than 1,800 drones took to the Tokyo skies and formed the rotating Earth above Olympic Stadium. The spectacle could be seen way above the crowd. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020/status/1418571257306521603]] Instead of the usual loud, crowded event, the festival had a somewhat more intimate feel, with just a handful of VIPs invited to watch. It was a similar story for the athletes, as only a limited number of them were allowed inside the stadium. And with that being said, let the 2020 Olympic Games begin! <h6>Featured image credit: Orange Pics BV / Alamy</h6>

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games begin as Naomi Osaka lights Olympic flame in show-stopping ceremony

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