The Tokyo Olympics officially get under way today after a year-long delay due to the impact of Covid-19. With the Japanese capital entering a fourth state of emergency as a result of the pandemic, it was declared this month that spectators will not be able to attend the summer Games.

 

But, with football already underway, the opening ceremony is set to take place at the Japan National Stadium, aka the Olympic Stadium with the pageantry ready to provide glorious artistic displays that represent the culture of the host nation – the best they could, and would, despite the huge restrictions set in place.

A year later than billed, but the Olympic Games are finally arriving in Tokyo, with the largest sporting event on the planet set to get underway. The coronavirus pandemic saw the Games pushed back 12 months, meaning it’s been five years since the Olympic flame was handed over by Brazil at the end of Rio 2016. Japanese opening ceremonies have traditionally celebrated ancient Japanese and dedicated to the country's impact on technology and popular culture.

The 2020 Summer Olympics opening ceremony is expected to be formally opened by Emperor Naruhito with the proceedings combining the formal and ceremonial Games opening, including welcoming speeches and the hoisting of the flags. It will showcase the host nation's culture and history with the theme of the Olympic Ceremonies - Moving Forward - referencing the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The opening ceremony theme will highlight the Tokyo 2020 slogan ‘United by Emotion’, which the organisers intend to reaffirm the role of sport and the value of the Olympic Games. With international fans already banned from attending the Games after a state of emergency was declared in Tokyo, that has extended to a total ban on spectators at most venues.

The vast majority of the artistic spectacle will be pre-recorded, with live segments performed with a small VIP audience, performers will also adhere to social distancing. But, five years on, since Rio, and, despite the travails, a feast of ‘Olympic’-proportions cannot get going soon enough!