There might have been less than 1000 people in the stands of the cavernous stadium, but Olympic Games have started. And the usual fanfare was there for all to see.
Japanese tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has ignited the cauldron in Tokyo to launch the Olympic Games at the end of a dignified, subdued opening ceremony.
The Games were opened on Friday with organisers paying tribute to medical workers while athletes from across the world paraded into an almost empty stadium, their smiles hidden behind masks.
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Frontline medical worker and Aussie pistol shooter Elena Galiabovitch has helped raise the Olympic flag after Patty Mills and Cate Campbell partnered to lead the country into Tokyo's Games.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would ever help carry the Olympic flag at an opening ceremony," said the 31-year-old doctor said.
Japanese tennis superstar Naomi Osaka lit the cauldron while earlier in the night the 11 Israeli Olympic team members killed by Palestinian gunmen at the 1972 Munich Olympics were remembered at a Games for the first time with a moment of silence.
They are the Games like we have never seen them before. We have had three days of competition so far but today marks the official start following last night's opening ceremony.
Australian athletes in 15 sports will represent the green and gold in the first official day of competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
- with Australian Associated Press