The Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be unlike any other because they will take place in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. The opening ceremony will be performed inside a nearly empty Olympic Stadium which would normally hold 68,000 people.
Opening Ceremony – Olympics: Day 0
The Japanese Flag is raised as the National Anthem is sung during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
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Fireworks light up the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021 (KAZUHIRO NOGI / AFP via Getty Images)
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Actors perform during the opening ceremony at Olympic Stadium, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo. (Morry Gash/AP)
Opening Ceremony – Olympics: Day 0
A performer in action during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 23, 2021. (Clive Rose / Getty Images)
Opening Ceremony – Olympics: Day 0
Thomas Bach, IOC President and Emperor Naruhito, President of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games look on during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 23, 2021 in Tokyo. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on July 23, 2021 at Olympic Stadium. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
The opening ceremony begins, July 23, 2021 at the Tokyo Olympics in Olympic Stadium. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
Fireworks illuminates over National Stadium during the opening ceremony of 2020 Tokyo Olympics, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo. (Kiichiro Sato/AP)
First lady of the United States Jill Biden speaks with French President Emmanuel Macron as they arrive at the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo. (Dylan Martinez/AP)
Olympic Stadium is prepared one hour before the opening ceremony, July 23, 2021 as the Tokyo Olympics begin. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
People take pictures with the Olympic rings in the public area outside Olympic Stadium before the opening ceremony, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
A police officer watches over Olympic Stadium before the opening ceremony, July 23, 2021. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
Olympic Stadium is prepared for the opening ceremony, July 23, 2021 as the Tokyo Olympics begin. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday, July 23, 2021 at Olympic Stadium. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday, July 23, 2021 at Olympic Stadium. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
The flag of Japan is raised during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday, July 23, 2021 at Olympic Stadium. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
Greece leads the parade of nations during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday, July 23, 2021 at Olympic Stadium. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
