Pandemic sets tone for poignant Olympics ceremony - the day in pictures

Perhaps as expected, Friday's opening ceremony was not of the usual ilk. No carnival like Rio, no skydiving monarchs like London, but a more sombre tone, a sobering reminder that this is a Games taking place in a world still facing its toughest challenge.

"Today is a moment of hope," said Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"Yes, it is very different from what all of us had imagined. But let us cherish this moment because finally we are all here together."

This Games is going to be different, dampened by masks, positive tests and the absence of fans. But it is still the Olympics; still the greatest show on Earth, still faster, higher, stronger and now together.

The ceremony itself was modest, a reminder of all the world has gone through yet offered hope for what is to come.

But the lack of a crowd was stark as socially distanced and masked athletes - though some went without - waved to empty stands, no roar accompanying their march into the stadium.

This gallery represents some of the day's most memorable moments.

At the heart of the stadium stood the Olympic cauldron, a representation of the sun atop Mount Fuji. It later opened like a flower, embodying "vitality and hope".

Four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka was delivered the torch by 14 others, a group featuring past and present athletes, including a summer and winter Paralympic gold medallist, doctors, nurses and students.

She ascended 'Mount Fuji', lighting the flame, before fireworks adorned the Tokyo night sky.

Read more:

• All of RNZ's coverage of the Tokyo Olympics
• Look back on RNZ's blog of the opening ceremony
• 2021's 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games: What you need to know
• 'Caution' and 'wariness' amongst athletes in Tokyo
• Tokyo Olympics: Ten global stars to watch out for at the Games
• The Covid Games: Pandemic and delay take toll on Tokyo Olympia

- BBC