Opening ceremony 2021 Olympics

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The Games of the XXXII Olympiad formally began by evoking a sense of isolation, specifically the isolation felt by athletes who have been training for their big moment during the extended COVID crisis that put these Games on hold for a full year and that many argue should have put them on hold for even longer.

Tokyo 2020 announces 17 new Covid-19 cases linked to the Olympics

Organizers announced 17 new Covid-19 cases directly linked to the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday — taking the total to 127.

As of Saturday, 14 athletes and 34 “Games-concerned personnel” have tested positive in Tokyo’s Olympic Village, a three-case increase on the previous day.

The remaining new cases were identified as media and contractors.

The names or nationalities of those who tested positive were not revealed, however Dutch rower Finn Florijn said Saturday he will not be competing after testing positive for Covid-19 on Friday.

The ceremony marked the formal beginning of the Games, which will last from July 23 through August 8. The opening ceremony was the first taste of the massive time difference for Americans planning to follow action at the Games as it is unfolding in Tokyo. 

While it was early morning in America, the ceremonies began at 8 p.m. — prime time — in Tokyo. The opening ceremonies were quite a bit different with fans not being allowed at attend the Summer Games. Fans are not allowed to attend any of the events throughout the Tokyo Olympics due to the elevation in COVID-19 cases in Japan.

During the Parade of Nations, the United States was led by women’s basketball star Sue Bird and baseball infielder Eddy Alvarez, who served as the flag bearers.

The opening ceremony concluded with the storied tradition of lighting the Olympic flame at Olympic Stadium. Tennis star Naomi Osaka — who has born in Japan and is participating for her home country at the Games — had the honor of lighting the cauldron with the Olympic flame, which signaled the start of the Tokyo Olympics.

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