Let the games begin!
After a year’s delay, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics officially kicked off tonight (July 23) at Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
While the Parade of Nations remained the same during the multi-hour event, things that were noticeably different included a spectator-less arena with thousands of athletes from around the world practicing social distancing and wearing masks. Nearly 200 nations and regions came together for a jaw-dropping ceremony to prove that the world can still come together even during rough times like the ones that happened during 2020.
From Naomi Osaka lighting the Olympic Cauldron to Team USA’s epic arrival, Celeb Secrets rounded up the best moments from tonight’s event, which you can see below.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics begin tonight, July 23rd @ 7:30PM ET on NBC, followed by the Paralympics on August 24th.
Check out Celeb Secrets top 5 favorite moments from the Opening Ceremony below and don’t forget to let us know what you thought of the event after it airs by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
Team USA’s Epic Arrival in the Parade of Nations
🇺🇸 @TeamUSA are here!
Four-time Olympic basketball champion Sue Bird and baseball star and Winter Olympic medallist Eddy Alvarez carry the flag.#StrongerTogether #OpeningCeremony #USA pic.twitter.com/tWIKNV9vAM
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
We can’t get over how cool Team USA looked in the Parade of Nations.
Women’s basketball star Sue Bird and baseball infielder Eddie Alvarez served as flag bearers in the ceremony while their fellow teammates followed close behind. The athletes were swagged out in none other than Ralph Lauren drip, wearing navy jackets and striped tops.
“It’s very difficult to explain. The energy is insane, I know our country is in a tough moment right now, but right now we all feel unified and it’s incredible,” Bird said on how she felt as she led Team USA into Olympic Stadium, with Alvarez adding “Thank God that I have Sue here holding me up because I’m freaking out a little bit guys, I’m not going to lie” when asked about walking in as Team USA’s flag bearer.
According to Ralph Lauren, Bird and Alvarez’s jackets included “RL Coolant technology,” which apparently “disperses heat from the wearer’s skin through a sophisticated device that monitors and optimizes temperature.”
One group of athletes that were noticeably missing from Team USA’s arrival were the Women’s Gymnastics team, which includes Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Grace McCallum, Jade Carey and MyKayla Skinner. According to officials, the athletes skipped the ceremony to focus on their competition preparation which begins tomorrow (July 24).
The girls did not miss out on kickoff celebrations, as they hosted their own private celebration that Jade Carey called “[our] own little twist on opening ceremonies.”
LET THE GAMES BEGIN ✨ pic.twitter.com/6jYpzT0min
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) July 23, 2021
During the United States’ airing of the Olympic Ceremony, NBC aired a segment featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to introduce Team USA’s 631 athletes like only he can and to be completely honest, it got us HYPED. Check it out below.
https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/1418766322561921025
The Touching Moment of Silence and Release of Paper Doves
Building a peaceful and better world through sport 🕊️
Paper doves rain from the sky at the #Tokyo2020 #OpeningCeremony. #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/l2et6zY2lE
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
Going into this year’s Olympics, it is impossible to ignore the current climate that our world is in. Part of the ceremony addressed the Coronavirus pandemic through emotional dance and a moment of silence. The lives of millions of lost ones were commemorated.
Moments before the Olympic Cauldron was lit, thousands of paper doves fell from the sky. Many athletes and attendees were able to catch the delicate birds, some believing it symbolized those lost in the pandemic, while others interpreting it as a symbol for freedom.
1,824 Drones Shape the Globe
🚨 Drone appreciation post! 🚨
1,824 drones light up the sky above the Olympic Stadium as the #Tokyo2020 emblem seamlessly becomes a revolving globe. 😍🌏#StrongerTogether #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/mcGteqdJ7n
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
Every 4 years (well, in this case 5), The host city has the honor to put on an epic light show for the Opening Ceremony. Tokyo took things to another level, as more than 1,800 drones floated above the Olympic Stadium to form into the Tokyo 2020 logo and also into a globe.
I mean… how could you not gaze at this all night long?
The Junior Chorus Performs “Imagine”
🎶 "Imagine all the people, living life in peace." 🎶
Junior Chorus performs John Lennon and Yoko Ono's timeless anthem for peace, 'Imagine.' #StrongerTogether #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/onrFdMcBSF
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
“Imagine” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono is one of those classic songs that brings the entire world together, especially during tough times. Although the song has been featured in previous games, the heartwarming tune was brought back for another year, kicking off with the Junior Chorus’ melodic voices. The song then continued with pre-recorded voices of artists such as John Legend, Keith Urban and others from around the world.
Naomi Osaka Lights the Olympic Cauldron
The Olympic Cauldron has been lit! 🔥@naomiosaka does the honours as the curtain rises on #Tokyo2020. #OpeningCeremony | #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/6bYlwnMDfh
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
Naomi Osaka had the highest honor at the Opening Ceremony, as she was chosen to light the Olympic Cauldron. The touching moment showcased the four-time Grand Slam champion, who was born in Japan and spent some time in the US before making her way back to her native country, holding the torch and lighting the Cauldron, which solidifies the moment that the Olympic Games are officially in session. The Cauldron will stay lit until the Closing Ceremony, which will take place in mid-August.
