Tokyo 2020 Olympics Officially Open and Welcoming

(Photo: Photonews/Panoramic/Icon Sportswire)

The Opening Ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics took place on Friday evening, July 23, 2021 – a year later than originally anticipated – and not without its difficulties. The Covid-19 pandemic continued to raise its ugly head resulting in changes as the Games drew closer.

First it was decided that family and fans residing outside of Japan would not be allowed to attend. And then it became necessary to also deny family, friends, and fans residing within Japan from being allowed to attend the games. Such a grand stage and the athletes would hear no cheers.

Many felt that the Tokyo Games should have been cancelled completely. As media buses arrived at the Olympic Stadium full of reporters and photographers along with the various other broadcasters and rights holders, we disembarked and had to walk a bit of a way to get to the stadium. As we did so, we were filmed by many a smartphone, as protesters stood along the route. Later when the Ceremony got underway, it would be possible to hear the chants of the protestors outside the stadium.

Much thought and comment acknowledged the havoc that the pandemic had raised, not only in Japan but across the world, leaving many families mourning loved ones.  There was a moment of silence—marred by the chanting outside the stadium. Later as the Olympic flame arrived and then when the Olympic flag was being carried out, health workers were included in these significant moments during the Ceremony.

However, as the Parade of Nations began, within the stadium, there was clapping for many of the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) that were represented. The Refugee Olympic Team, representing those athletes who had to leave their homelands for one reason or another—escaping hunger, violence, or because they found that they were different, marched out second, following Greece who is always first.

The Olympic Oath was even changed to be more inclusive:

“We promise to take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules and in the spirit of fair play, inclusion and equality. Together we stand in solidarity and commit ourselves to sport without doping, without cheating, without any form of discrimination. We do this for the honour of our teams, in respect for the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, and to make the world a better place through sport.”

In total, there were 205 NOCs and the Refugee Olympic Team representing the globe. Some teams had hundreds, while others were represented by just a few—perhaps only one athlete. Watching those teams walk out, their flag bearers holding their countries’ colors up proudly, it was plain to see their pride and earnestness in competing. Watching them parade along the route and then interact with the local dancers proved that during the Olympics there is a truce. There is camaraderie among the athletes—at least until they face each other in competition.

After Japan marched out, signaling the end of the parade of nations, and the entertainment and speeches began, there was respect, with no spectacle. Honor for those competing and those who had suffered throughout the pandemic were the message, as was the importance of solidarity, and it was heard.

In his speech, International Olympic Committee President, Thomas Bach recognized not only the suffering, but how important being together again was. “We can only go faster, we can only aim higher, we can only become stronger, if we stand together – in solidarity. This feeling of togetherness – this is the light at the end of the dark tunnel,” he said just before inviting His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito to declare the Games open.