Summary

  • Tokyo Olympic Games declared open in poignant ceremony

  • Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka lights Olympic flame

  • 'Today is a moment of hope,' says IOC president Thomas Bach

  • Japan’s Emperor Naruhito among almost 1,000 VIPs and delegates attending

  • Ceremony at Tokyo Olympic Stadium without spectators

  • Only 22 of GB's 375-strong squad join much-reduced athletes' parade

  • Protests against the Games outside stadium

Live Reporting

Stephan Shemilt

  1. Drones illuminate Olympic sky

    I'm sorry for repeating myself on this, but I thought it was absolutely brilliant.

    Watch for yourself.

  2. Never mind the Olympic flame, we've got a bit of Susan Boyle!

    Her version of 'Wings to Fly' is played to accompany the 'release of doves' (it's actually done by special effects).

    Organisers describe her a 'world-famous Scottish artist'.

    That must be worth something on the medal table. Stick a gold on GB's tally.

  3. I'm keen to find out who will light the Olympic flame. As usual, this is top-secret. Done properly, it's one of those moments that goes down in history.

  4. The Olympic flag has been carried into the stadium. It will now be raised as the Olympic anthem is played.

  5. Olympic Games declared open

    Look at the fireworks!

    With that, Emperor Naruhito has declared these Olympic Games open.

  6. More from IOC president Thomas Bach: "This feeling of togetherness – this is the light at the end of the dark tunnel of this pandemic.

    "The pandemic forced us to be apart. To keep our distance from each other. To stay away even from our loved ones. This separation made this tunnel so dark. But today, wherever in the world you may be, we are united in sharing this moment together.

    "The Olympic flame makes this light shine brighter. Now I have the great honour of inviting His Majesty the Emperor to declare open the 32nd Games of the Olympiad, Tokyo 2020.

    "I humbly request his Majesty the Emperor to declare open the Tokyo Olympic Games."

  7. That drone 'globe' is incredible, isn't it? That image will be shown for many years to come.

    This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip X post

    Allow X content?

    This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  8. You can please some of the people some of the time...

  9. Get involved

    #bbcolympics

    Wend in Paris: Your live reporting from the opening ceremony has me crying with laughter Just hilarious.

    Disgusted of Staines: Never known such a stream of put downs and sarcasm as from Stephan the Snide today. BBC at its worst.

  10. Remember those German outfits I talked about earlier? Judge for yourself...

  11. Get Involved

    #bbcolympics

    Tina: Gary Barlow is fuming, that they didn’t ask him to sing, write and star in that!

  12. 'Today is a moment of hope'

    IOC president Thomas Bach: "Today is a moment of hope. Yes, it is very different from what all of us had imagined. But let us cherish this moment because finally we are all here together: the athletes from 205 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, living under one roof together in the Olympic Village.

    "This is the unifying power of sport. This is the message of solidarity, the message of peace and the message of resilience. This gives all of us hope for our further journey together.

    "We can only be all together here, because of you, our gracious hosts, the Japanese people, to whom we would like to express all our appreciation and respect."

  13. 'The Tokyo Games finally open today'

    Hashimoto Seiko, president of the Tokyo organising committee: "Following the challenges of the first ever postponement in Olympic history, the Tokyo 2020 Games finally open here today. Hopes have been connected one by one by many hands, and we are now in a position to welcome this day.

    "The whole world has faced immense challenges with COVID-19. I would like to express my gratitude and respect to all essential workers including those in medical services and others around the world who have shown such determination in overcoming these challenges.

    "I would also like to offer my thanks to the people of Japan for hosting the Games, as well as to the International Olympic Committee, the Government of Japan, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and other organisations for working so hard to make them happen."

  14. Speeches time. Settle down...

  15. Get Involved

    Text 81111 (standard rates apply, UK only)

    That incredible drone globe has brought tears to my eyes. Such an iconic moment. Good luck to all the athletes.

    Lisa in Liverpool

  16. Keith Urban? Really? Is that the best they could do from Australasia?

    Where's Kylie?

  17. John Legend. He's A-list. I'll give you that.

  18. Here's the rendition of Imagine, performed by what organisers describe as a 'rare meeting of globally renowned artists'.

    I'll be honest, I'm not aware of any of them yet.

  19. Now that is impressive, and could perhaps turn out to be the enduring image of this opening ceremony.

    A huge amount of drones have formed a 'globe' floating above the stadium.

  20. In a ceremony called 'Unity in Diversity' the Tokyo 2020 emblem has been unveiled.

    We'll soon have a performance of the John Lennon classic 'Imagine', but the identity of the artist is currently top-secret.