Opening ceremony 2021 Olympics: Naomi Osaka lights torch, drone display impresses as Games get started

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are finally here

After much anticipation, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are finally here. After being postponed over 12 months due to the pandemic, the opening ceremonies of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are took place on Friday morning at Olympic Stadium in the host city. 

The ceremony marked the formal beginning of the Games, which will last from July 23 through August 8. The opening ceremony was the first taste of the massive time difference for Americans planning to follow action at the Games as it is unfolding in Tokyo. 

While it was early morning in America, the ceremonies began at 8 p.m. -- prime time -- in Tokyo. The opening ceremonies were quite a bit different with fans not being allowed at attend the Summer Games. Fans are not allowed to attend any of the events throughout the Tokyo Olympics due to the elevation in COVID-19 cases in Japan.

During the Parade of Nations, the United States was led by women's basketball star Sue Bird and baseball infielder Eddy Alvarez, who served as the flag bearers.

The opening ceremony concluded with the storied tradition of lighting the Olympic flame at Olympic Stadium. Tennis star Naomi Osaka -- who has born in Japan and is participating for her home country at the Games -- had the honor of lighting the cauldron with the Olympic flame, which signaled the start of the Tokyo Olympics.

NBC is airing an encore of the opening ceremonies tonight at 7:30 p.m ET, and you can stream them on fuboTV (try for free).

Let the games begin.  

[Jul 23, 2021 at 10:48 am ET · Chris Bengel]

Tennis star Naomi Osaka lights the Olympic flame to signal the start of the Tokyo Olympics. Such an empowering moment.

[Jul 23, 2021 at 10:40 am ET · Chris Bengel]

Former New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui is serving as one of the torch bearers

[Jul 23, 2021 at 10:39 am ET · Chris Bengel]

The Olympic flame has arrived at Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. A montage was shown regarding the flame's journey to Olympic Stadium in recent weeks.

[Jul 23, 2021 at 10:27 am ET · Chris Bengel]

A person is depicting each of the 50 Olympic events in a demonstration. Each of the sports are being acted out.