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An opening ceremony like no other as Japan welcomes the world
Performances and pyrotechnics still featured prominently, but these are unusual times and Tokyo staged an opening ceremony like no other as it welcomed the Olympic Games back to Japan after 57 years on Friday night (July 23).
Most conspicuous were the empty seats in the cavernous, 68,000-capacity Tokyo Olympic Stadium, a stark reminder of the invisible enemy the world continues to battle.
The Covid-19 pandemic had already meant the stadium’s big unveiling – refurbishment works were completed in late 2019 – was held back by a year, after the Olympics were postponed for the only time in its history.
A continued struggle against the virus then moved organisers to bar spectators from all events earlier this month. This resulted in the absence of the frenetic energy from the stands that usually accompanies the opening ceremony.
In a nod to gender and racial diversity, tennis star Naomi Osaka lit the cauldron to a muted reception after Emperor Naruhito formally opened the Olympics – as his grandfather Hirohito did in 1964 – with only 15 other global leaders in attendance which included United States First Lady Jill Biden.
It was sobering, but necessary.
On Friday, 19 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the Olympic Village, a daily record rise in cases since organisers began disclosing data this month. A total of 110 cases linked to the Olympics have been recorded since July 2, when the organisers started offering daily updates.
There were protests even on the day of the ceremony, most notably in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building as the Olympic torch reached its final stop before it made its way to the stadium. Tokyo is also in a fourth state of emergency – declared earlier this month – and reported 1,979 new infections on Thursday, which is the highest daily count since mid-January.
But there has also been evidence that other segments of its residents have taken a more welcoming stance.
As buses ferried athletes, officials, journalists and delegates to the opening ceremony, locals were seen lining the barricaded streets leading to the stadium – many with cameras in hand, some with encouraging signs. They also thronged a park next to Japan’s Olympic Museum, with a monument of the Olympic Rings a particularly popular spot.
The city might be a little deflated, but it is not entirely dispirited.
The thousands of unfilled seats inside the stadium, however, remained an unusual, uneasy sight all night.
Despite this, the Team Singapore contingent, who looked snappy in their blazers and Japan-inspired ties and scarfs, were all smiles as they waved around the empty arena along with the approximately 6,000 athletes and team officials.
The Republic will be represented by 23 athletes across 12 sports in Tokyo but only six were in the 12-strong contingent that marched. Some have yet to arrive in the country as they adhere to strict travel schedules tied to their events, while others – like shooter Adele Tan and fencer Kiria Tikanah Abdul Rahman – preferred to rest in preparation for early battles on Saturday.
Shuttler Loh Kean Yew, who was Singapore’s joint-flag bearer with table tennis player Yu Mengyu, said he was living his “childhood dream” being at the Olympics.
“Being here in Tokyo finally, after one year of postponement and the uncertainties, feels very surreal,” said Mr Loh, 24. “Even though the stadium is empty, being here fills me with plenty of excitement. I’m extremely honoured to carry the Singapore flag tonight, and will do my very best at the Olympic Games.”
Ms Yu, meanwhile, called being a flag bearer a “major landmark” in her life.
Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin, who is also the Singapore National Olympic Council president, flew into Tokyo on the eve of the ceremony, and wrote in a Facebook post that it was a “pity there is no audience” in a “beautiful stadium”.
“But we are living in extraordinary times and some things can’t be helped,” said Mr Tan. “The organisers are doing what they can to keep us all safe and to keep things moving smoothly. I hope that the sportsmen and women will be able to inspire us through their performances and contests as they have done through the ages.”
Even without spectators, elaborate choreography and large groups of dancers still entertained in performances that showcased Japan’s culture and history.
In one segment, a wooden installation of the Olympic Rings was erected in the middle of the stadium – the rings were crafted with wood grown from trees planted by athletes when the Olympics came to Tokyo in 1964.
History, however, largely took a back seat at Friday night’s ceremony, which is tied to the concept of “Moving Forward”, a reference to recovering from the pandemic.
On Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee amended its motto to “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together”, with the last word an addition made to “adapt it to our times”, explained its president Thomas Bach. And what novel times they are.
-The Strait Times
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Iran Rally Twice to Earn Draw Against New Zealand Amid Charged Atmosphere in Los Angeles
Iran came from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G clash at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday, with the match unfolding against the backdrop of political tensions surrounding Tehran and a tentative agreement aimed at ending the recent U.S.-Iran conflict.
According to Reuters, the atmosphere inside and outside the stadium reflected the complex emotions surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament. Los Angeles, home to the world’s largest Iranian diaspora community, saw hundreds of protesters gather before kickoff, many carrying Iran’s pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag and anti-government signs.
On the pitch, New Zealand made a bright start and took the lead when Elijah Just volleyed home from close range after being picked out by captain Chris Wood. The goal sparked celebrations among some anti-government supporters, while others had earlier booed Iran’s national anthem before the match.
However, the majority of the crowd of more than 70,000 appeared to back Team Melli, repeatedly chanting “Iran, Iran” and erupting in celebration when veteran defender Ramin Rezaeian equalised in the 33rd minute.
Rezaeian, one of several Iranian players whose domestic campaigns were disrupted after the suspension of the country’s league earlier this year, reacted quickest to a blocked effort and slotted the rebound past the advancing New Zealand goalkeeper.
The All Whites restored their advantage shortly after halftime through another combination between Wood and Just. Wood threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the Iranian defence and just finished emphatically to score his second goal of the match.
Iran again found a response, this time through Mohammad Mohebbi. The forward met Rezaeian’s pinpoint cross with a powerful header that struck the far post before bouncing into the net to level the score at 2-2.
Iran pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages and created the better opportunities, but New Zealand held firm to claim a valuable point.
“I love my mom and dad. They always pray for me in difficult times, so this is for them,” Rezaeian said after the match.
“And also for my people in Iran.”
The result leaves Group G finely balanced after Belgium and Egypt played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, meaning all four teams sit on one point after their opening matches.
For New Zealand, the draw extended their wait for a first World Cup victory. The All Whites, appearing in their third finals tournament, have now gone seven World Cup matches without a win.
“We’re disappointed not to win,” New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley said.
“When you’re leading twice in a game, you come away with that what if. We were probably as close as we’ve ever been to winning a game at the World Cup, and we couldn’t quite do that today.
“But we’re in the World Cup, we didn’t lose, we stayed in the game, scored goals and created chances, so it was a really strong performance, I’m really proud of it.”
Reuters reported that divisions among Iranian-American supporters were evident throughout the day. Some fans said attending the match could be interpreted as support for Tehran’s government, while others insisted they were there solely to support the national team and its players.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei also highlighted the challenges his squad has faced during the tournament. After relocating their World Cup base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, the team has been required to travel internationally for each group-stage match.
Ghalenoei complained that several federation officials and members of the coaching staff had been unable to enter the United States after visa applications were rejected.
“I think perhaps our team is the most oppressed one in the World Cup,” he said through a translator.
Despite those difficulties, the coach praised the support his side received in Los Angeles.
“It was a very good atmosphere,” he said.
“It was very positive. I was very happy with the supporters and the fans who were supporting the Iranian players. I think that was a very great achievement.”
Iran will return to Los Angeles to face Belgium in their next Group G fixture, while New Zealand will travel to Vancouver to take on Egypt as the battle for qualification to the knockout stages intensifies.
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Morocco Handed Boost as Brazil Lose Only Specialist Right Back Ahead of World Cup Clash
Morocco have received an early boost ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C opener against Brazil after the South Americans lost their only specialist right back, Wesley, to injury.
The AS Roma defender was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a left thigh muscle injury during Brazil’s 2-1 international friendly victory over Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed on Sunday that medical examinations revealed damage to the adductor muscle in Wesley’s left thigh, forcing him to withdraw from Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man World Cup squad.
His absence leaves Brazil with a significant selection headache ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Morocco. Wesley was the only natural right back in the squad, meaning Ancelotti may now have to rely on makeshift options such as versatile defenders Danilo and Ibanez to fill the position.
“The MRI scan revealed a muscle injury to the adductor muscle in his left thigh,” the CBF said in a statement.
“The CBF regrets the injury. Wesley is a player much loved by the squad and will always be considered part of this team as it seeks to win its sixth World Cup title.”
Brazil have moved quickly to replace the injured defender, calling up Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who is expected to join the squad in the United States on Monday.
For Morocco, the development could offer a tactical advantage as the Atlas Lions prepare to face the five-time world champions in what is expected to be one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the group stage.
The North Africans, who reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and continue to be regarded as one of the strongest teams outside Europe and South America, will be looking to exploit any defensive uncertainty on Brazil’s right flank.
Brazil, chasing a record-extending sixth World Cup title, are grouped alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in Group C. The opening encounter between Morocco and Brazil is expected to play a key role in determining the eventual group winner.
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Algeria have extended the contract of national team coach Vladimir Petkovic and his technical staff until 2028, the country’s football federation said on Sunday, days before the World Cup in North America, with his previous deal due to expire immediately after the tournament.
Petkovic, who took charge in February 2024, has overseen a strong turnaround, leading Algeria to 21 wins, four draws and three defeats in 28 matches and guiding the team to qualification for the 2026 World Cup, after their absence from the 2018 and 2022 editions.
Algeria also reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after consecutive group-stage exits in 2021 and 2023, while climbing from 43rd to 28th in the FIFA world rankings and from seventh to fourth in Africa during the Bosnian’s tenure.
The federation said the extension reflected “stability and confidence in the work accomplished”, with Algeria set to open their World Cup Group J campaign against Argentina on June 17 before facing Jordan and Austria.
-Reuters
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