The Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games finally kicked off today with a grand opening ceremony at the National Stadium in Tokyo amid the shadow of Covid-19 pandemic.
The number of athletes and officials attending the ceremony was kept low in view of the coronvirus infection.
The sky over the National Stadium in Tokyo exploded in indigo and white as fireworks marked the start of the opening ceremony, celebrating the world’s best athletes set to compete amid pandemic.
20 Indian athletes represented the country in the opening ceremony of the games.
Boxing great and Six-time world champion M C Mary Kom and Indian hockey team skipper Manpreet Singh were the flag-bearers at Japan National Stadium.
President Ram Nath Kovind has conveyed his best wishes to the Indian contingent at the Tokyo Olympics on behalf of all Indians. In a Tweet, President Kovind wrote
”An entire nation’s hopes and prayers are with the Indian contingent at the Tokyo Olympics. I convey best wishes to you all on behalf of all Indians. I am confident that you all will excel, win laurels and make our country proud.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his best wishes to our dynamic contingent as Prime Minister caught a few glimpses of Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremony.
Prime Minister has also extended his best wishes to the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga for Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur, along with eminent sportspersons, also wish the team India All the very best.
In addition to this, Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh, Madhya Pradesh Sports Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia, National Badminton Coach Pullela Gopichand and other dignitaries were present in this program.
However, some of the qualifications events were already in action today.
Archery was the first event where Indian athletes took part.. Indian archer Deepika Kumari finished ninth with a score of 663 after 12 intense sets in the women’s individual ranking round on the first day of Tokyo Olympics 2020.
In Men’s ranking round, Pravin Jadhav finished with a 54 and at the 31st position…and Atanu Das finished at 35.
