The opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will begin on Friday 23rd July 2021. It will be conducted before a nearly empty stadium due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This year's Olympics has been fraught with controversy.

Though the venue is a stadium with  68,000-capacity. only a few hundred spectators comprising officials and dignitaries, including Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, French President Emmanuel Macron and US First Lady Jill Biden with the emperor will officially declaring the Games open.

The gathering of over 11,000 athletes in Japan for  the Olympics has triggered fears that it could be a super-spreader event.  Overseas fans have been banned for the first time ever along with strict corona virus measures. Athletes have also been turned away after testing positive for COVID-19. 

Dancers perform around the Olympic rings under a fireworks display during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP)

Athletes, support staff and media are subject to strict Covid-19 protocols, including regular testing and daily health checks. 

Nigeria’s delegation parade during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)

US First Lady Jill Biden arrives for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021. (Photo by Leon Neal / POOL / AFP)

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito (C) attends the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021. (Photo by STR / JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT

Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka holds the Olympic Torch before lighting the flame of hope in the Olympic Cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021. (Photo by HANNAH MCKAY / POOL / AFP)