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
Japan's Emperor Naruhito has arrived, greeted by the president of the IOC, Thomas Bach.
The emperor was present the last time the Games were held in Tokyo, in 1964. He attended some of the events at the age of four.
The flag of Japan has been carried into the stadium.
Image source, Getty ImagesThat runner is still on the treadmill. It's now been switched to an uphill setting.
I'm tired watching.
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As you can tell by the daylight, that picture was taken by Nick a little earlier today.
Anecdotally, some social media posts are suggesting there are protests outside the stadium during the opening ceremony.
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Andrew Cotter
Athletics commentator on BBC TV
Still going on the treadmill. It's becoming quite a heavy session.
The ceremony has moved on to celebrate the way athletes have managed to prepare for these Games despite the restrictions of the pandemic. In the vast emptiness of the stadium, there is a runner on a treadmill and a rower on a machine.
The are wearing some very funky white tracksuit tops, which I wouldn't mind getting my hands on.
Image source, Getty Images#bbcolympics
Gareth Mills: Bizarre openings? The new doctor's surgery in my village Hoo was opened by none other than Tom Baker. Doctor Who (Hoo)! That is marketing at its best.
Dame Katherine Grainger
Olympic rowing gold medalist on BBC TV
Athletes have an amazing ability to be resilient and agile in their thinking so the goal will still be the same - but sometimes how you get there changes.
These teams we've sent out have been the most challenged of any we've seen but I think now they are ready to compete.
We've just seen a hand-drawn animation of geometric shapes on a chalk board, which took 10 days to film.
We're now reflecting on the time since Tokyo was awarded the games in 2013, including the year-long delay enforced by the pandemic.
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Sarah: I wasn't sure about these Olympics, but I’ve been watching for approx 20 mins and I’m already sucked in and ready to become obsessed with archery at two in the morning.
Jack Davies: Here we go then, the greatest two weeks in any given four year span for any sports fan.
Here we go, then. The Olympic Stadium is illuminated in the bustling city of Tokyo.
Expect artistry, celebration and national pride.
The opening ceremony is under way...
Image source, Getty ImagesDame Katherine Grainger
Olympic rowing gold medalist on BBC TV
I think we are looking, from an athletes' point of view, how different it will feel with no crowds and empty stadiums.
But I think we need to take time to feel sorry for the Japanese people themselves - there is still a nervousness about the world coming together in their home country.
If you go back to 2012, so many people we still meet all the time, will talk about what it was like to be in the crowd, when their families came together, when they celebrated.
There's a real pride in being a host city and a host nation - and they have waited since 1964 to host the Games, and it won't be the same, it won't feel the same. They won't be able to flood the cities and the stadiums in the way we managed to do in 2012.
Sir Chris Hoy
Six-time Olympic cycling champion on BBC TV
Before Athens, I saw a stat that said only 27% of athletes do personal bests at the Olympic Games - and I guess that's down to the pressures, or you can become distracted.
It can be a really difficult environment in which to perform at your very best,
Perhaps not having the crowds, not having as much hype beforehand, it might be easier to focus on your performance and perhaps do a personal best when it counts.
I think this is the most open Olympic Games ever, potentially - formbooks can be torn up and thrown away. It's going to be completely different, it's a more level playing field and we could see some new faces surprising the big favourites.
By the way, the set for the BBC's TV coverage is an absolute belter - CGI of the Tokyo skyline. It sort of reminds me of the Final Fantasy video games.
The ceremony itself is only a couple of minutes away.
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Matthew Britten: Here we go! So long body clock.
Have you ever been to a bizarre opening of anything? A DIY store with an actor who played a minor role in Casualty? Or a community centre with Duncan from Blue?
Maybe you have opened something. Let me know.
Now and for the next two weeks you can text 81111 (UK only - texts will be charged at your standard message rate) and tweet using the hashtag #bbcolympics.
As today is the opening ceremony, let's talk openings...
For now, though, we'll talk you through the events of the opening ceremony, look ahead to what is coming up over the next couple weeks and give you a flavour of what it is like to be in Tokyo.
And, as ever, we want you to be involved...