Tennis star Naomi Osaka lit the Olympic cauldron and Japan's Emperor Naruhito officially declared Tokyo 2020 open, meaning the Games that were delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic are now underway.
The emperor made a short declaration following speeches by International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach and Japanese Olympic Organizing Committee head Seiko Hashimoto acknowledging the challenges athletes and organizers have faced ahead of the Games.
More than three and a half hours into the ceremony, Osaka, who will compete for Japan at these Games, was handed the Olympic torch to light the cauldron. For the first time the Olympic cauldron is using hydrogen fuel as part of an effort on behalf of this year's host country to reduce emissions.
The cauldron — set atop a podium that resembled Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest mountain — was designed to evoke the sun and a flower, the latter representing vitality and hope. A short but spectacular fireworks display lit up the sky over Tokyo Olympic Stadium to close out the event.
The opening ceremony, usually a boisterous affair, included the traditional musical and theatrical performances but on a smaller scale than previous Games. There were no spectators in the 68,000-seat stadium, and athlete contingents in the Parade of Nations were much smaller than usual.