For the first time most delegations were led by a male and female flagbearer after the IOC changed its rules last year in a push for equal gender representation
Amid the confusion and one year of delay, the Tokyo Olympics opened on Friday night (July 23, 2021). Unlike other Olympics opening ceremonies, this year’s opening was a low key affair due to fewer participants and hardly any crowd, as per Olympic standards, to watch this ceremonial occasion.
Wearing a white surgical mask, Japan’s Emperor Naruhito opened the Olympics and announced, “I declare open the Games of Tokyo.”
For the first time in the Olympics history, the most prestigious sports event venues would be without spectators. Eleven thousand athletes from over 200 countries and regions are participating in the event.
From the Indian side, Mary Kom, five-time world champion and men’s hockey captain Manpreet Singh led the Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics
The Tokyo Olympic cauldron was lit on Friday night after a year of delay and nearly empty National Stadium, which can accommodate 68,000 people.
Some 6,000 mask-wearing athletes and team officials paraded into the ceremony held in the stadium.
For the first time, most delegations were led by a male and female flagbearer after the IOC changed its rules last year to push for equal gender representation.
From the Indian side, Mary Kom, five-time world champion and men’s hockey captain Manpreet Singh led the Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.
A 25-member team from India attended the Opening Ceremony.
Indian Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Thakur, waved the Indian flag back home when the Indian contingent made its way to the stadium during the opening ceremony.