Tokyo 2020 Olympics declared open amid pandemic

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TOKYO, July 23: The 2020 Summer Olympics began in Tokyo Friday amid coronavirus pandemic after a year-long postponement. Japanese Emperor Naruhito declared the opening of the Tokyo Games at the ceremony in the National Stadium. After the performance section and athletes’ parade in front of about 950 officials and foreign dignitaries, Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hahismoto said in her speech, “Hopes have been connected one by one by many hands, and we are now in a position to welcome this day.

The whole world has faced immense challenges with COVID-19.” Hashimoto also thanked athletes participating, saying, “I greet you all from the bottom of my heart. We have been encouraged by your commitment in spite of all the difficulties you have had to endure.” For his part, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said, “Today is a moment of hope. It is very different from what all of us had imagined, but let us cherish this moment because finally we are all here together.” Bach also said, “We can only be all together here because of you, our gracious hosts — the Japanese people, to whom we would like to express all our appreciation and support.” Tokyo 2020, delayed for one year due to the pandemic, is held under the concept of “Unity in Diversity,” emphasizing the importance of accepting people’s differences, including race, gender, religion and level of abilities. About 11,000 athletes from some 200 countries and territories will partake in a record 339 events held across 33 sports at the 17-day Tokyo Games through August 8.

Team Kuwait arrives during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Hannah McKay/Pool Photo via AP)

However, under anti-COVID-19 measures, almost all matches will be held without spectators for the first Olympics in history. A total of 10 Kuwaiti athletes will compete in the events. Lara Dashti and Abbas Qali will compete in swimming, Abdurrahman Al-Fadhel in rowing and Mohammad Al-Moussawi in Karate. Other contenders are shooters Abdurrahman Al-Faihan, Mansour Al-Rashidi, Abdullah Turgi Al-Rashidi and Talal Turgi Al-Rashidi. In the field-and-track, the participating Kuwaiti champions are Yaaqoub Al-Youha and Madhawi Al-Shemmari (KUNA)

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