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Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony: World reacts as Naomi Osaka lights Olympic cauldron

It was one of the worst kept secrets of the Games but the Olympic flame has finally been lit at the Opening Ceremony.

Andrew McMurtryAndrew McMurtry
@AndrewMcMurtry
less than 2 min read
July 24, 2021 - 1:20AM

Spectators were shut out but Tokyo still put on a show for the rest of the world watching Friday night’s opening ceremony on TV.

In an empty stadium – save for journalists and a delegation of select VIPs – the weirdest Olympics ever officially kicked off.

We thought the first hero of the Games would announce themselves on a podium but instead that honour went to a girl on a treadmill, who became an instant meme for playing a starring role in the ceremony.

Arisa Tsubata, a nurse and former Olympic boxing hopeful kicked off the Opening Ceremony.
Arisa Tsubata, a nurse and former Olympic boxing hopeful kicked off the Opening Ceremony.

She was surrounded by colleagues on exercise bikes and viewers who weren’t puffing just from looking at them were treated to a display of Japanese culture in a Covid-world built on the theme “apart but not alone”.

Colourful light displays were meant to symbolise how the world has found new ways to stay connected during these social distancing times and rubber ropes represented everyone having shared experiences because of the impacts of coronavirus.

There was something sad about the Japanese anthem being sung while the country’s flag was raised in front of empty seats, but Team Argentina soon lightened the mood as the athletes’ parade followed the preceding 30 minutes of interpretive dance.

Argentina did their best impersonation of a mosh pit, jumping around and chanting as they lifted their country’s spirits after a shock football loss to the Olyroos on Thursday.

Australia was led out by basketball star Patty Mills and swimming sensation Cate Campbell, who are both competing at Olympics No. 4. Campbell’s technique of practicing with a broom in the lead-up paid off as she and Mills proudly waved the Australian flag in a seamless double act.

The coolest detail of the entire operation surrounded the Olympic rings put on centre stage. They were crafted out of wood from trees that grew from seeds brought over by international athletes when Tokyo last hosted the Olympics in 1964.

And then tennis superstar Naomi Osaka capped the night off, getting the honour of lighting the Olympic Cauldron.

The Games of the XXXII Olympiad are officially open.

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The cauldron is finally set to be lit and it's tennis superstar Naomi Osaka who gets the honour.

After her first round match was rescheduled earlier in the day, it sparked rumours that she would get a big role in tonight's event.

Osaka is the most famous athlete Japan has produced and the highest-earning female athlete ever.
And despite suggestions baseball stars Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani could be given the honour of lighting the Olympic flame, the late development has boosted confidence the tennis star will get the gig.

But it was Osaka who got to finally open the Olympics and it's her Cathy Freeman moment.

Naomi Osaka gets to light the Olympic cauldron.
Naomi Osaka gets to light the Olympic cauldron.
What a moment.
What a moment.

Osaka, who has been outspoken as an activist and fought for her mental health by standing down from the French Open and Wimbledon, was the final torch bearer and lit the flame.

But with the honour comes the added pressure of success for the 23-year-old World No. 2.

Bruce McAvaney said it was a "Freeman-like moment".

The world agreed it was the right choice for Osaka to light the cauldron.

Seven broadcaster Kumi Taguchi explained the significance of Osaka lighting the cauldron.

"Inspired choice but I have to put this cultural spin on it as well," she said.

"Naomi Osaka, hafu (the Japanese word for half) as they say in Japan, she has waxed and waned over the years and she had some issues in Japan with a lot of people saying is she really Japanese and there was a discussion going on behind the scenes.

"For me it's a hugely inspired choice when you're looking at issues like diversity and acceptance for Naomi Osaka to light that flame. It's not only the mental health aspect which has been so rightly brought out but this kind of sense of who someone is and their identity and that being put to the fore and being totally celebrated regardless of how many parts of your skin colour is built up over the years."

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Seen as a technology Olympics, Tokyo finally flexed its tech muscles.

With 1824 drones in the sky, the Earth was held above the stadium in rather lovely scenes.

It's a reminder that while we can't travel the world – or out of our own houses in some cases – the Olympics brings the world together.

That's pretty cool.
That's pretty cool.

Then artists, including John Legend and Keith Urban, sang John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Imagine, which has become an unofficial Olympic anthem.

It's a year later than we thought but the Tokyo Opening Ceremony is under way.

It started with an athlete touching the ground and planting a seed before a video countdown.

The seed has been planted.
The seed has been planted.

The first set piece is channelling Covid though with people running on treadmills and exercising separately – like we needed another reminder of lockdown!

The world waited a year for this moment.
The world waited a year for this moment.

The runner was Arisa Tsubata, who is a nurse.

But she was also training to become an Olympic boxer ahead of the Tokyo Games.

Unfortunately she was unable to qualify after the qualifying came down to world ranking and she missed out on the chance to make the Olympics on her home soil.

Social media erupted over as the main performer instantly found a way in the world's hearts.

Cate Campbell and Patrick Mills will lead out their country. Picture: Alex Coppel
Cate Campbell and Patrick Mills will lead out their country. Picture: Alex Coppel

Patty Mills and Cate Campbell will be joined by two honoured sidekicks as they lead the Australia team tonight.

The flag bearers were given the option of selecting someone important to them to march alongside them.

Swimming star Campbell selected her coach Simon Cusack while Mills picked Boomers team manager and close friend Albert Junior Viranatuleo.

The foursome will be followed by Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman, deputy Chef de Mission and three-time Olympian Susie O’Neill, along with fifth-time Olympian Sam Stosur and four-timers Melissa Wu and Joe Ingles.

The rest of the 63-strong group of athletes will follow in order of how many Olympic appearances they've made.

The entire Boomers team are marching because their opening game against Nigeria isn't until Sunday.

“We have always prioritised performance first and the athletes understand that," Chesterman said.

"To march is a wonderful experience and that needs to be balanced against the realities of preparation for competition.

"For many it is simply not possible to take part in the ceremony, but to have so many march is wonderful.

"This is a special Team. Each athlete has endured a difficult path to these Games – and they have responded."

Australia is 38th in the running order of 206 countries marching. Greece goes first followed by the IOC Refugee Team. Host nation Japan will take pride of place as the last Team to enter.

Misinformation is major killer

The Olympics is a special time every four years where the best of the best come together in a celebration of sport.

Don't believe us?

Just have a look at this pic.

Are there any two more beloved Australian athletes than Patty Mills and Ash Barty?

There's just over an hour before they get to march into the stadium.

Mills, the first Indigenous flag bearer, will make history just by walking into the stadium – hopefully it'll be the first of a golden campaign for both Ash and Patty's Boomers.

Read related topics:Live Daily News

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/olympics/tokyo-olympics-2021-opening-ceremony-live-updates/live-coverage/b0dedd82749618ee349870006003c0e8