One year late, the Olympic Games in Tokyo opened on Friday evening local time by Japan's Emperor Naruhito. The Tenno spoke the traditional greeting at 11:14 p.m. local time. Because of the corona pandemic, the solemn ceremony took place in front of almost empty stands for the first time. Only just under 1000 guests of honor - including Japan's Emperor Naruhito - were there. Beach volleyball Olympic champion Laura Ludwig and water diver Patrick Hausding led the German team as the flag bearers when they marched into the Olympic Stadium. They came 115th of the 206 teams.
IOC President Thomas Bach also highlighted the special circumstances in his speech.
"Yes, it is very different from what we had imagined," said Bach on Friday in Japan's national stadium in Tokyo.
Nevertheless, “today is a day of hope”, said the 67-year-old and added: “Let's cherish this moment because we are finally all here together.” Bach once again emphasized “the unifying power of sport” and expressly thanked "Our gracious hosts, the Japanese people".
The fact that the Summer Games can take place one year late despite the ongoing corona pandemic is also due to the "outstanding work" of the Japanese government.
“I want to express our deepest gratitude,” said Bach.
Despite the ban on spectators, thousands of fans gathered in front of the stadium on Friday afternoon to catch at least a brief glimpse of the opening ceremony.
The supporters of the controversial mega-event, which was postponed by a year due to the corona pandemic, stood out against the opponents who came by the dozen and protested against the staging during the emergency in the Japanese capital.
More corona cases in Tokyo
On Gaien nishi-dori street, directly in front of the stadium, crowds of people had gathered for hundreds of meters at the barrier on the sidewalk.
Most of the time to listen to the performances.
Against the backdrop, a much smaller group started loud chants and made noise with whistles and drums.
In the stadium, however, the program started as planned.
Only a few hundred selected visitors - officials of the International Olympic Committee, guests from politics and business - were admitted to the ceremony. The fans of the spectacle have to stay outside and soak up the atmosphere in front of the stadium, which is designed for 68,000 spectators. The colorful installation of the Olympic rings was a popular photo opportunity, and in the evening fireworks should light up the sky over the arena.
Shortly before the opening ceremony, the organizers published 19 more corona cases related to the Olympics. This is the highest value since the tests began to be recorded on July 1st. This increased the number of positive tests to a total of 106. As the organizing committee announced in the daily report published on Friday, those affected include three athletes who do not come from Japan. The organizing committee does not mention names or countries of origin.
Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said in a short video message before the start that the Olympians gave many people "dreams and emotions" and encouraged them.
"Show your best performance," said Suga.
Tokyo is still in the fourth corona state of emergency until well after the end of the Olympic Games.
In surveys, a majority of the population had repeatedly spoken out in favor of a renewed postponement or cancellation of the games.
“There is no sign of euphoria or a festive mood in the capital,” wrote the Japanese daily “Asahi Shimbun”.
"Many simply want the event to end without any serious problems." According to the paper, the Olympic Games are "unusual and bizarre" and begin in the midst of "division and distrust".
In the next few days, the athletes in Tokyo may have to prepare for stormy times. A subtropical low pressure zone over the Pacific is likely to form a typhoon and set course for the main Japanese island. Accordingly, the expected typhoon at the beginning of next week could affect the Kanto region around the Olympic city of Tokyo.