The opening ceremony at the newly built Olympic Stadium in Tokyo began at 1 pm, Swedish time.

And it was a historic inauguration when the nations' flags were carried by two people - a man and a woman.

For Sweden, the flag bearers were Sara Algotsson Ostholt, field competition, and Max Salminen, sailing.

- I immediately felt "wow, what an honor to be a part of this".

There was no doubt, said Algotsson Ostholt, Olympic silver medalist in London 2012, when she was asked.

The duo led the Swedish delegation's entry during the ceremony, and they did so as the 86th country in the order.

Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Max Salminen with the Swedish flag Photo: Bildbyrån