My Take | Lighting of the Olympic flame provides a beacon of hope
- The pandemic has cast a dark shadow over the delayed Tokyo Games. But this event has the ability to inspire, excite and bring some optimism during troubled times
Final preparations were made amid ongoing speculation last week that the world’s biggest sporting competition would be cancelled. It remains to be seen whether it will make it through the next two weeks.
There is no denying the risks involved in gathering together 11,000 athletes from more than 200 parts of the world during a global pandemic, especially at a host city that is in a state of emergency as Covid-19 cases soar. It is not surprising the decision to press ahead has been branded crazy and irresponsible.
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Inside the Tokyo 2020 Olympics opening ceremony
The ceremony had been racked with controversy, as key figures departed amid scandals. But it was the pandemic that cast the darkest shadow. The stadium was mostly empty. Excited crowds had gathered outside, but so had protesters calling for the Games to be stopped.