Photos: The Olympics have opened with pomp despite circumstance
Athletes are seen with fireworks during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo.
PHOTO: AP Photo/Morry Gash
Flag bearers Malia Paseka and Pita Taufatofua of Team Tonga lead their team during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Hannah McKay - Pool/Getty Images
A general view during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images/Getty Images
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.
PHOTO: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images
Flag bearers Sue Bird and Eddy Alvares of Team United States lead their team out during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images
Performers are seen during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
General view inside the stadium as Naomi Osaka of Team Japan lights the Olympic cauldron with the Olympic torch during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Performers are seen with the Olympic Cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images
Japanese singer Misia sings Japan's national anthem "Kimi Ga Yo" during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: HANNAH MCKAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Swen Pförtner/picture alliance via Getty Images
Lesotho's delegation enters the Olympic Stadium during Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games opening ceremony's parade of athletes, in Tokyo on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: HANNAH MCKAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
An overview shows Japan's delegation (R) parading during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP via Getty Images
A general view of the Olympic stadium during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Drones fly to form an image of the Earth in the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images
A drone display is seen over the top of the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
A Japanese jazz composer Hiromi Uehara plays the piano during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Naomi Osaka lights the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo.
PHOTO: AP Photo/Morry Gash
A picture shows the Olympic Flame and Cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images
Athletes are seen with fireworks during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo.
PHOTO: AP Photo/Morry Gash
Flag bearers Malia Paseka and Pita Taufatofua of Team Tonga lead their team during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Hannah McKay - Pool/Getty Images
A general view during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images/Getty Images
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.
PHOTO: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images
Flag bearers Sue Bird and Eddy Alvares of Team United States lead their team out during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images
Performers are seen during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
General view inside the stadium as Naomi Osaka of Team Japan lights the Olympic cauldron with the Olympic torch during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Performers are seen with the Olympic Cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images
Japanese singer Misia sings Japan's national anthem "Kimi Ga Yo" during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: HANNAH MCKAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Swen Pförtner/picture alliance via Getty Images
Lesotho's delegation enters the Olympic Stadium during Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games opening ceremony's parade of athletes, in Tokyo on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: HANNAH MCKAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
An overview shows Japan's delegation (R) parading during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP via Getty Images
A general view of the Olympic stadium during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Drones fly to form an image of the Earth in the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images
A drone display is seen over the top of the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
A Japanese jazz composer Hiromi Uehara plays the piano during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Naomi Osaka lights the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo.
PHOTO: AP Photo/Morry Gash
A picture shows the Olympic Flame and Cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images
Athletes are seen with fireworks during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo.
PHOTO: AP Photo/Morry Gash
Flag bearers Malia Paseka and Pita Taufatofua of Team Tonga lead their team during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Hannah McKay - Pool/Getty Images
A general view during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images/Getty Images
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.
PHOTO: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images
Flag bearers Sue Bird and Eddy Alvares of Team United States lead their team out during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images
Performers are seen during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
General view inside the stadium as Naomi Osaka of Team Japan lights the Olympic cauldron with the Olympic torch during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Performers are seen with the Olympic Cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images
Japanese singer Misia sings Japan's national anthem "Kimi Ga Yo" during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: HANNAH MCKAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Swen Pförtner/picture alliance via Getty Images
Lesotho's delegation enters the Olympic Stadium during Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games opening ceremony's parade of athletes, in Tokyo on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: HANNAH MCKAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
An overview shows Japan's delegation (R) parading during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP via Getty Images
A general view of the Olympic stadium during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Drones fly to form an image of the Earth in the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images
A drone display is seen over the top of the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
A Japanese jazz composer Hiromi Uehara plays the piano during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Naomi Osaka lights the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo.
PHOTO: AP Photo/Morry Gash
A picture shows the Olympic Flame and Cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021.
PHOTO: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images
The 2020 Olympics officially opened Friday with a barrage of fireworks, nods to Japan’s history and culture, and a mesmerizing drone display over Tokyo’s night sky. And, of course, without fans there to see it.
The pomp of these games is unlikely to escape its circumstance — namely, that the quadrennial event is being staged a year late, in front of empty grandstands, against the will of many in Japan and at the risk of infection for those involved. Athletes paraded into Tokyo’s National Stadium on Friday night, cheered only by competitors or by the performers lining their route.
Fireworks erupted off the arena’s roof and music blared from its loudspeakers, but the tone for much of the ceremony was somber, including during an opening number when performers mimicked athletes training in isolation. The mood lightened later, including for jazz pianist Hiromi’s dazzling fast fingers.
Take a look at the opening ceremonies.