TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 23: Naomi Osaka of Team Japan lights the Olympic cauldron with the Olympic torch during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
WHERE TO TUNE IN -- WATCH NBC ONLINE FOR FULL OLYMPIC COVERAGE
(The Slice): The Tokyo Summer Olympics ceremony kicked off after a year delay in Japan in the early hours of Friday morning in a stadium of empty seats. Only 950 VIPs were allowed in 68,000 capacity stadium. The usual roar of the crowd is missing, a reflection of the adjustment athletes from around the world had to make under the pandemic. Representing Japa, Naomi Osaka carried the torch representing the host country. Four-time Olympic basketball champion Sue Bird and baseball star and Winter Olympic medalist Eddy Alvarez carried the U.S. flag. The first game on the schedule taking place from July 23 to Aug. 8. (A few preliminary events happened before the opening ceremony on July 23.) It's a different atmosphere as there have been numerous changes in producing the event including the parade of athletes being scaled back.
You'll want to tune in to NBC for the schedule and scores. The network is home to the games and will have around the clock coverage. Some of the less popular events are mixed in with major events so be sure to check the schedule at https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule to make sure you don't miss a thing you want to see.
First Lady Jill Biden led the United States delegation arriving on Thursday. Wearing a mask, the FLOTUS looked on at the opening ceremony in a black and white polka dot dress and a strand of long pearls. She was welcomed with a dinner Thursday night with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his wife, Mariko Suga, with whom she attended an incense workshop Friday before the opening ceremony. The 11 leaders in attendance included the presidents of Armenia, France, Kosovo and Poland and also Prince Albert of Monaco. The First Lady connected with athletes on a Zoom call to congratulate them. Mrs. Biden will also host an event at the U.S. Embassy for American athletes and their families.
Ralph Lauren outfitted team USA and has been designing the official Team USA gear since 2008.
A large crowd of protesters outside of the stadium gathered in opposition of the games because of COVID-19. They are concerned the Olympics will turn into a superspreader event. They are concerned the Olympics will turn into a superspreader event. Only 20 percent of the population in Tokyo is vaccinated. More than 100 U.S. Olympians are unvaccinated according to CNN with 83 percent being vaccinated. Japan has host 2 winter games and 2 summer games in the past.