In photos: Parade of nations during colourful Tokyo Olympics 2020 opening ceremony

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In photos: Parade of nations during colourful Tokyo Olympics 2020 opening ceremony

No spectators at Tokyo Olympic Stadium but Japan’s Emperor Naruhito was in attendance

Published: July 23, 2021 16:11 Imran Malik, Assistant Editor

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olympics — The Tokyo 2020 Olympics Opening Ceremony was a colourful display. The ceremony was held at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium but due to the COVID-19 pandemic there were no spectators present. However, Japan’s Emperor Naruhito was among some of the VIPs and delegates attending. Image Credit: Reuters

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olympics — Fireworks light up the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony. Outside the stadium, in the searing heat, hundreds of Japanese locals were peering in. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — Azerbaijan's flag bearer Farida Azizova and Azerbaijan's flag bearer Rustam Orujov lead the delegation during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — Dancers perform in front of the Olympic rings. The fanfare, the theatre, the famous athletes carrying the flag, the kabuki dance, the glistening fireworks - the opening ceremony had everything but spectators to enjoy it all. Image Credit: AP

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olympics — The flag of Japan is raised during the opening ceremony and though it's a proud moment, most people in the country are furious that the Games are taking place as the numbers of positive cases surge due to the pandemic. Image Credit: Reuters

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olympics — Dancers appear to get themselves in a bit of a tangle during the opening ceremony. But don't worry, it was all part of the plan. We think... Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — Fireworks go off around the Tokyo Olympic Stadium. Sadly, no spectators were allowed inside to watch the proceedings. Image Credit: Reuters

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olympics — A performer runs on a treadmill during the ceremony. That reminds us, we need to hit the gym tonight... Image Credit: Reuters

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olympics — Argentina's flag bearer Cecilia Carranza Saroli and Argentina's flag bearer Santiago Raul Lange lead the delegation during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — Having just won the Euro 2020 football tournament, Italy will want to do well in the Games. Jessica Rossi and Elia Viviani seen here carrying their country's flag. Image Credit: AP

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olympics — Chungneijang Mery Kom Hmangte and Manpreet Singh carry the flag of India. With 120 athletes competing across 85 events, the country hopes to win medals for shooting, wrestling, boxing, archery and badminton. Image Credit: AP

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olympics — Flag bearers Mohamed Sbihi and Hannah Mills of Britain lead their contingent. Britain will be expected to exceed the 51 medals won in Beijing in 2008, but can they match the 67 attained in Rio in 2016? Image Credit: Reuters

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olympics — Flag bearer Yousuf Almatrooshi of the UAE leads his contingent. Watching the spectacle in a nearly empty stadium - which normally seats 68,000 - is a surreal experience. Image Credit: Reuters

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olympics — Qatar's flag bearer Tala Abujbara leads the delegation during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — Kuwait's flag bearer Lara Dashti and Talal Alrashidi lead the delegation. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — A member of Kosovo's delegation waves as he enters the Olympic Stadium. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — A member of Kyrgyzstan's delegation films with his mobile phone as he enters the Olympic Stadium during Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games opening ceremony's parade of athletes, in Tokyo. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — US First Lady Jill Biden claps during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — An athlete from Saudi Arabia films the action using his smartphone. 5,000 medals made of recycled electronics will be handed out across 50 games and 33 different sports during the Games. Image Credit: Reuters

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olympics — An athlete from Colombia does likewise during the opening ceremony. Image Credit: AP

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olympics — A member of Russia's delegation poses for a photo during the opening ceremony. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — Spain's flag bearers Mireia Belmonte and Saul Craviotto lead their delegation as they parade during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — Members of the Switzerland delegation take pictures upon entering the stadium. The positivity and energy felt from the athletes attending today's opening ceremony has been incredible. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach and Japan's Emperor Naruhito attend the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — Czech Republic's delegation enters the Olympic Stadium. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — Germany's delegation arrives. There are so many challenges in the world right now but sport has the power to inspire like nothing else. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — Pakistan's flag bearers Mahoor Shahzad and Muhammad Khalil Akhtar lead the delegation. The atmosphere is not exactly party-like - Tokyoites have been told to stay at home because of the pandemic. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — A general view of empty seats inside the stadium. Tokyo will have a tough task in trying not to be the first 'no-fun' Olympics... Image Credit: Reuters

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olympics — Save us a seat! A Tokyo 2020 volunteer sits in an almost empty grandstand during the opening ceremony. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — French President Emmanuel Macron cuts a lonely figure during the ceremony. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — An athlete from Mexico during the parade. She is one of over 11,000 from 205 countries who will be competing in the 2020 Olympics. Image Credit: Reuters

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olympics — Prince Albert II of Monaco wearing a protective face mask reacts during the ceremony. Image Credit: Reuters

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olympics — USA's flag bearer Eddy Alvares and Sue Bird and their delegation parade. When it comes to overall Olympic success, it’s the United States and then everyone else. They have won a total of 2,827 medals in all the years of competition. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — But host nation Japan - which won its first medals in 1920, and its first gold medals in 1928 - will be keen to impress. Flag bearer Rui Hachimura leads the delegation at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo. Image Credit: AFP

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olympics — The torch is passed around the stadium and then given to some schoolchildren who deliver it to the person who will light the Olympic flame. And that person is... Naomi Osaka! The Japanese four-time tennis grand slam winner has the honour of lighting the Olympic flame. Image Credit: Reuters

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olympics — She uses the torch to light the flame which illuminates the Tokyo night. The sphere opens like a flower to "embody vitality and hope". It has been a ceremony like no other but Japan can be proud. Tomorrow is Day 1 which will see gold medals won in archery, fencing, judo, shooting, taekwondo and weightlifting. Let the Games begin! Image Credit: AFP

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