[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] On the 23rd, the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics began. Under the theme "United by Emotion," it emphasized a sense of solidarity that no one is alone, delivering a message of hope to people around the world over 3 hours and 30 minutes.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympic opening ceremony started at 8 p.m. at the National Stadium in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. Under the common theme for both the Olympics and Paralympics, "Moving Forward," it was composed of sub-themes such as "APART BUT NOT ALONE," "HERE TOGETHER," "TIME TO SHINE," and "HOPE LIGHTS OUR WAY." Through the sub-theme "PEACE THROUGH SPORT," it also conveyed the message that sports play a significant role in humanity's solidarity and future hope.
Originally scheduled to celebrate humanity's great victory over COVID-19 when the Tokyo Olympics were postponed by one year due to the pandemic, expectations were high for a festive event. However, as COVID-19 continues to rage, only about 1,000 people, including International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials and diplomatic envoys, attended the event in person at the Tokyo National Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 68,000.
The opening ceremony began with a video. Geometric shapes appeared on a blackboard, and these lines formed the shape of the National Stadium where the ceremony was held. Scenes from the moment Tokyo was confirmed as the host city in 2013 to the recent postponement due to COVID-19 were shown, followed by a countdown. Then, fireworks marked the official start of the "global sports festival."
Emperor Naruhito and IOC President Thomas Bach entered, followed by the Japanese national flag entering the ceremony venue. A wooden Olympic rings structure was raised on stage, recalling the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. After the IOC Laurel Award ceremony honoring those who achieved significant results in education, culture, and peace through sports, the highlight of the opening ceremony?the athletes' parade?began.
More than 10,000 athletes from 206 countries are participating in this event, but due to COVID-19, only a small number of athletes attended the opening parade. The athletes' entrance is expected to take about two hours. During the athletes' entrance, famous background music from Japanese video games played, adding fun by borrowing the style of Japanese animation.
Following this, a performance of "IMAGINE," the song released by Beatles member John Lennon in September 1971, took place. The singer performing the song was revealed during the event. John Lennon's wife during his lifetime was Japanese Yoko Ono.
After welcoming remarks by President Bach and Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee Chair Seiko Hashimoto, Emperor Naruhito declared the opening. Then the Olympic flag entered, and doves, symbols of peace, were released. Following a pictogram performance, the Olympic flame appeared inside the National Stadium. The flame, which traveled over 2,000 km carried by more than 10,000 runners since March 25 this year, was lit by the final torchbearer revealed just before the lighting ceremony, illuminating the cauldron throughout the Games.
After the 3 hours and 30 minutes opening ceremony, the Olympics officially continue from the 24th to August 8th, competing for 339 gold medals across 33 sports.
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