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Japanese Emperor Naruhito inaugurated Games XXXII. Olympics in Tokyo. It happened on Friday, July 23, at 11.14 pm local time, ie at 4:14 pm CEST. “I hereby consider the Tokyo Olympics open,” said Naruhito, 61.
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The emperor continued the family tradition. His father Akihito inaugurated the 1998 Olympic Games in Nagano, his grandfather Hirohito inaugurated the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo and the 1972 Olympic Games in Sapporo.
The ceremonial formula was preceded by a rich accompanying program at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. The most anticipated moment, the lighting of the Olympic flame, took place at 16.48 CEST and its author was the Japanese tennis player and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaková.
The torch with the fire was handed to her by three boys and three girls, representing the future of Japanese sport. Osaková, as the last member of the relay, then climbed 22 steps to the structure and ceremoniously lit a fire.
Photo gallery
Opening ceremony of Tokyo 2020
Source: TASR
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Unlike previous game openings, the opening ceremony of the one-year postponed Olympic Games in Tokyo was not so megalomaniacal. In terms of 68,000 spectators, there were only a few hundred people – members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), guests of honor, political leaders of the countries and representatives of sponsors. The program began with a video that mapped the path from Tokyo’s declaration as the host city to the opening of the Olympics.
There was no mention of the global coronavirus pandemic and views of the empty streets of Tokyo. Then a countdown took place, which resulted in fireworks above the stadium. The program was enriched by dance performances, but the mass choreography known from previous plays was missing, dancers and actors formed rather smaller groups. Subsequently, the Japanese flag was hoisted at the stadium, and it was brought to the stadium by six dressed in red jackets and white pants.
Another part of the program was reminiscent of the 1964 Olympics, which also took place in the Japanese capital. This was followed by the traditional parade of individual expeditions. As the 92nd in the order, the Slovak expedition came to the desktop. The Slovak flag was carried together by the shooter Zuzana Rehák Štefečeková and the water slalom player Matej Beňuš. In the end, representatives of the organizing country came to the area. In accordance with the applicable measures, all athletes wore veils when crossing the stadium.
Photo gallery
Opening ceremony of Tokyo 2020
Source: TASR
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“I enjoyed the opening ceremony as much as I could,” stated for the olympic.sk portal Rehák Štefečeková: “We had a very good time during the whole departure from the Olympic Village – we had photos together, we went by bus to the stadium together, and waiting at the stadium was very pleasant. We had a great time as a team and I think we have a very good time at the Olympics. My mother and I got the flag about fifty meters before we arrived at the stadium, at that time we still didn’t know how it was supposed to work with the flag, as we were both supposed to carry it, but I think we did quite well.
However, it was a bit sad that when we entered the stadium, there were no spectators except for the volunteers on Wednesday. I imagined that the stands could hum, as I remember from the Beijing Olympics. But now it’s very clear to me that the Olympics have begun and that we are here to do our best. “
Being again at the grand opening of the Olympics was a beautiful experience for Beňuš as well: “But it’s a pity that there couldn’t be spectators, it would be a bigger experience for everyone – us athletes, spectators in the stands, even in front of TV screens. But of course, it was a huge honor and indescribable experience for me to be a flag bearer.”
Photo gallery
Opening ceremony of Tokyo 2020
Source: TASR
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At the end of the arrival of nations, they presented a new slogan of the Olympics, to which one word was added, the new motto is “Faster, higher, stronger – together”. The motto “together we can do more” was carried by the further ceremony. The Olympic promise was immediately performed by six personalities, and to the sounds of the world-famous song Imagine by John Lennon, a drone projection of the planet Earth was projected over the stadium. The head of the organizing committee of the Olympic Games 2020 Seiko Hašimotová then took the floor.
“I would like to express my respect for all the health professionals who helped manage the pandemic and thank all the people of Japan, the IOC and the Japanese government. They all worked hard to make the games possible.” Hashimit said, stressing the mission of the games as a symbol of a new beginning after the pandemic: “It’s time to show the true power of sport.”
IOC Chief Thomas Bach also expressed his admiration for the organizers for their efforts, not forgetting to thank the doctors and all the medics who fought and are still fighting the pandemic. “Today is a moment of hope. Yes, it is completely different from what we expected, but let us appreciate this moment. We are all in this together, all athletes under one roof of the Olympic Village. There is a unique power of sport – it is it is a message of peace, resilience, perseverance, it gives us hope for a common future path. We need more solidarity in society, solidarity in the sense of help, care, without discrimination. Together we are stronger. ” declared Bach. The ceremony culminated in a grand opening, the hoisting of the Olympic flag and the lighting of the Olympic flame.
Even before the ceremony began, groups of opponents of the games met in front of the stadium and Tokyo City Hall to demand their cancellation. They pointed to the unfavorable epidemiological situation in the country and possible risks. Protesters who had banners with slogans such as “Cancel the Olympics”, “Turn off the Olympic flame” or “Global crime against Japan” were heard in the stadium.
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