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Tokyo Olympics declared open; Team Singapore led in by Loh Kean Yew and Yu Mengyu

Tokyo Olympics declared open; Team Singapore led in by Loh Kean Yew and Yu Mengyu

The Singapore contingent walks during the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony on Jul 23, 2021. (Photo: Kong Chong Yew/SNOC)

TOKYO: In an opening ceremony that was equal parts surreal and sensational, the Tokyo Olympic Games were officially declared open on Friday (Jul 23).

And in front of a largely empty 68,000-seater stadium, a sprinkling of Singapore’s contingent made their first appearance at the Games. They were led by badminton player Loh Kean Yew and table tennis athlete Yu Mengyu, who carried the Singapore flag.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, a large swathe of athletes, including some from Singapore, were not present in a scaled down ceremony.

Still, a total of about 6,000 competitors and team officials, 900 Games stakeholders and guests of honour, and 3,500 members of the media were present, organisers said.

In an Olympic first, spectators had been barred from attending the ceremony as part of COVID-19 preventive measures.

And apart from sections of the stadium occupied by members of the media and various dignitaries such as US First Lady Jill Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, the lights, sounds and sights echoed off empty seats.

Yet prior to the ceremony, there was an undeniable buzz on nearby streets as crowds gathered to snap photos and catch a glimpse of proceedings.

View of the Japan National Stadium during the Tokyo Olympics on Jul 23, 2021. (Photo: Matthew Mohan)
View of the Japan National Stadium during the Tokyo Olympics on Jul 23, 2021. (Photo: Matthew Mohan)

Held amid a state of emergency in Tokyo, the Olympic Games has been postponed for a year due to COVID-19. And after the postponement, the event has been mired in controversy, coronavirus concerns and a cold reception from some of the Japanese public.

READ: Singapore to go 'over and above' COVID-19 safety measures by Tokyo Olympics organisers: Chef de mission

This was no better illustrated by a reported protest held outside the stadium during the ceremony, with the sound of protestors seeping into the arena more than once.

The opening ceremony of the Games has not been spared from controversy either. 

Opening ceremony director Kentaro Kobayashi was dismissed less than two days before the event for comments made on the Holocaust. Earlier in the week, Japanese composer Keigo Oyamada, resigned from the Tokyo 2020 creative team after a backlash for bullying classmates.

Actors perform during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Fireworks go off during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics opening ceremony on Jul 23, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Leah Millis)

TEAM SINGAPORE EMERGE

Despite the rows of empty seats, the ceremony still had some of the flair and colour that have traditionally marked the opening of the Olympics.

The ceremony began with a series of videos - one featuring shapes which morphed into the National Stadium and a second depicting the sequence of events from when Tokyo was awarded the Games to the events of the coronavirus pandemic.

This was followed by a series of colourful fireworks peppering the night sky.

After the introduction of Japanese Emperor Naruhito and IOC President Thomas Bach, the Japanese flag was carried into the stadium on the shoulders of various flag bearers before it was hoisted. 

Singing the national anthem was pop star Misia, whose powerful vocals drew those present into stirring applause.

The Singapore contingent walks during the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony on Jul 23, 2021. (Photo: Kong Chong Yew/SNOC)
The Singapore contingent walks during the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony on Jul 23, 2021. (Photo: Kong Chong Yew/SNOC)

Then came a traditional Japanese performance featuring local history, before giant wooden rings - made of wood taken from trees planted by athletes of the Olympic Games of Tokyo 1964 - were carried in and transformed into the Olympic symbol.

Next, the parade of nations, where athletes marched in to the various tunes of popular Japanese video games.

Apart from Loh and Yu, the other four athletes marching for Singapore were badminton player Yeo Jia Min, swimmer Quah Ting Wen, fencer Amita Berthier and gymnast Tan Sze En. They were accompanied by six Singapore officials. 

READ: Rowing: Joan Poh first Singapore athlete to participate at Tokyo Olympics, finishes sixth in her heat

READ: Swimming: Schooling says less pressure at Tokyo Olympics after 'rollercoaster' of past few years

Striding into the arena with their red blazers and beige slacks, the athletes waved miniature Singapore flags with both hands. 

“It has always been my childhood dream to compete at the Olympic Games. Being here in Tokyo finally, after one year of postponement and the uncertainties, it feels very surreal,” said Loh.

“Even though the stadium is empty, being here fills me with plenty of excitement. I’m extremely honoured to carry Singapore flag tonight, and will do my very best at the Olympic Games.”

The Singapore contingent walks during the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony on Jul 23, 2021. (Photo: Kong Chong Yew/SNOC)
The Singapore contingent walks during the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony on Jul 23, 2021. (Photo: Kong Chong Yew/SNOC)

Yu also added that the opportunity gave her a sense of pride and responsibility. 

A total of 23 athletes will represent Singapore and compete at the Games. Seventeen of them are debutants, a record high. 

READ: Team Singapore at the Tokyo Olympics: What and who to look out for?

READ: No Olympic medal target set, 12 qualifying sports already a 'breakthrough' – Singapore Sports Institute chief

The Games will also see gold medalist Joseph Schooling attempt to defend his crown in the 100m butterfly.

After all nations had emerged, the floor of the arena flashed with the words: “Faster, Higher, Stronger, Together”, before more fireworks punctuated the sky.

A stunning drone show above the stadium then drew gasps and applause from the crowd. 

Following a recorded rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine, and speeches by Bach as well as president of the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee Seiko Hashimoto, Japanese emperor Naruhito declared the Games open.

Those present were treated to a creative segment involving actors forming the 50 human pictograms of the Olympics.

And nearing midnight in Tokyo, it was none other than Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka who took the Olympic flame to the cauldron, bringing an end to a ceremony that will forever remain unlike any other.

Catch the Olympics Games Tokyo 2020 LIVE with 14 dedicated channels on meWATCH. Sign in now at mewatch.sg/tokyo2020 and get into the action with Mediacorp, Singapore’s Olympics Network.

Source: CNA/ta

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