We asked the performers and other people involved in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on the night of the 23rd.
Takayuki Hioki, Executive Producer of the Games Organizing Committee, who oversaw the ceremony, said, "I am relieved that the ceremony was successfully completed. Everyone in the world was able to demonstrate their full potential after the opening ceremony. I hope it will give you a chance to look forward, "he recalled.
On top of that, he said that the opening ceremony was held without spectators, "I especially wanted to see the venue filled with children, but this is the situation."
Also, regarding the fact that the people involved in the ceremony continued to resign until the day before the opening ceremony, "I am very sorry for taking the situation seriously. I was able to change the song used at the opening ceremony to a good song even if I did not have time. I'm glad. "
On the other hand, regarding the appointment of tennis player Naomi Osaka as the final runner of the torch relay, he said, "I am a representative athlete of Japan and have sent various messages, and I decided that it was the most suitable."
Athletes' lonely performance
Arisa Tsubata, a boxing girl, was aiming to participate in the Tokyo Games while working as a nurse.
However, due to the influence of the new coronavirus, the final qualifying round in the world was canceled, and I lost my dream without fighting.
At the opening ceremony, he showed a performance that expressed the loneliness of athletes who continue to challenge despite anxiety and conflict.
At a press conference after the opening ceremony, Tsubata said, "I'm glad that we were able to successfully show off the performance we've been practicing together. The lonely athlete I performed spent a year postponed due to the corona wreck. I performed with various emotions, such as the feelings I had, the fact that I worked hard with the boxing representatives, and the colleagues who worked hard in the medical field. "
On top of that, Tsubata said, "I am very grateful that the representative players who have worked hard in boxing together will perform, so I am very grateful that I was involved in the opening ceremony. I was talking.
Saori Yoshida "Tears when I knew I would give it to three people"
Saori Yoshida, a wrestling girl who won the Olympic Games for the third time in a row, carried the torch at the opening ceremony.
At the press conference after the opening ceremony, Mr. Yoshida said, "I am very happy to be able to connect the torch filled with the thoughts of many people at the National Stadium. I want to support you. "
Regarding connecting the torch to Shigeo Nagashima, Sadaharu Oh, and Hideki Matsui, "I had no idea who to give it to until the rehearsal, and when I found out that I would give it to three people, I was really honored. I thought it was a good thing, and I was very happy because I was able to connect the torch firmly in the end while getting excited until the actual performance. "
50 kinds of moving pictogram expressions
Gamarjobat's HIRO-PON expressed 50 types of moving pictograms at the opening ceremony.
HIRO-PON said, "I was able to record it, but I focused on doing it live. Originally, I was asked to do 50 types in 4 minutes, but I just didn't have enough time and it took 5 minutes. I was allowed to do it. "
On top of that, "'Gamarjobat' is the Georgian word for'hello'. I was watching the players on TV, but when the Georgian team came in, I got excited." I was talking.
Organizing Committee "Observe the rules described in the playbook"
At the press conference after the opening ceremony, a reporter asked, "Some of the players did not wear masks. Do you have any plans to take any action?"
In response, Masanori Takaya, a spokesperson for the Games Organizing Committee, said, "By having the participants follow the rules described in the playbook and having each person take on that role, we will continue to succeed in the Games. I want you to contribute. "
On top of that, "I would like to ask for your cooperation and understanding of this principle until the end of the tournament. I hope you will contribute to the success of this tournament. "
Overseas media people "I don't know how exciting it will be"
Various voices were heard from overseas media personnel who attended the opening ceremony.
A journalist from the United Kingdom said, "The infection of the new coronavirus has spread and the tournament is held in a complicated situation, but I think we got off to a good start at this opening ceremony."
On the other hand, regarding the fact that the problem continued, such as the dismissal of Kentaro Kobayashi, who was the show director of the ceremony, for using the lines that shook the genocide of Jews by Nazi Germany in the past, "Many It was shameful that the scandal happened and we should have paid close attention to it. "
The producer of the BBC, a public broadcaster in the United Kingdom, said, "Although there were many difficulties, it was a wonderful opening ceremony where athletes from all over the world gathered to show their diversity and hope for the world."
A German journalist said, "I have covered the past Olympics, but at this Tokyo Games, there were few athletes who participated in the ceremony without spectators, so I did not feel the enthusiasm and excitement that I had before. I thought it was a bad thing to have a player who wasn't wearing a mask. I think the enthusiasm will increase as the tournament progresses, but I don't know how exciting it will be with many opposition to the event. " Was showing.