Japan's emperor declares Tokyo Olympics open

Japanese emperor Naruhito declared the Games open, a month after voicing concerns over the possible spread of coronavirus during the Olympics, becoming the third member from his family to do the honours.

By AFP | Jul 23, 2021, 08.30 PM IST

Japan's Emperor Naruhito addresses the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito officially opened the Tokyo Olympics on Friday in a nearly empty stadium after the Games were postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"I declare open the Games of Tokyo," Naruhito said during a three-hour ceremony attended by just a few hundred officials and dignitaries and several thousand athletes in the 68,000-capacity Olympic Stadium.

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