Updated Jul 23, 2021 - Sports
In photos: Olympics opening ceremony kicks off pandemic-delayed Games
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The Olympic Flame burns after the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron during the opening ceremony. Photo: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
The Olympics opening ceremony kicked off Friday in a near-empty stadium in Tokyo.
The big picture: The ceremony, which featured fewer performers than usual, started with the idea of being apart but not alone, "recognizing and conveying the emotional connection for athletes training around the globe for the last 17 months, doing much of that in isolation," NBC's Mike Tirico said.
What they're saying: "Today is a moment of hope, yes? It is very different from what all of us had imagined. But let us cherish this moment," said Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee.
- Olympic athletes "had to face great challenges on your olympic journey. Like all of us, you were living with great uncertainty through the pandemic ... You persevered. You never gave up. And today, you are making your Olympic dream come true."
In photos:
