Fan free Olympics begin

Sporting enthusiasts across the globe assembled in public and private to celebrate the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, falling precisely one year on from its scheduled date, after the pandemic wreaked havoc on the world.

As the spectre of Covid-19 still looms large in Japan, the public have been barred from all events. Despite these circumstances, the display which characterises the official start of the quadrennial Games captured the attention of Olympics aficionados.

One such devotee, Kyoko Ishiwaka, hosted a watch party with her American husband. Her living room was festooned with Olympic flags and images representing each participating nation. Virtual attendees included friends and family who popped up on separate screens.

Kyoko Ishikawa: "The top athletes and everything top things, from two, over 200 countries get, come here - wanted just come to just one city and get together, and produce the, the highest energy and power. So that's the Olympic Games."

Simultaneously, fans including a former Olympian were drawn to a public space outside a London shopping mall to witness the opening pageantry. In place of throngs of passionate spectators and Olympians gracing Tokyo's massive national stadium, they observed a meagre 1,000 VIPs where 68,000 could have been seated, and only partial national squads in the athletes' parade.

Although somewhat muted, for fan Anthony, above all the Olympics represent harmony and hope.

Antony Lowbridge-Ellis: "Sometimes it's a bit sort of naïve but I love the idea of the world coming together, just for four - every four years, just for, for this. It makes me feel quite, quite happy. And I think that with everything that's gone on the last couple of years, it's probably needed more than ever. So, I'm really looking forward to these Games for that reason."

Another eager spectator was Takoko, whose hopes of experiencing the stadium crowds first hand in Japan were dashed, finding herself unable to leave her course in London due to the strictures of the global pandemic.

Takako: "I'm Japanese and because of the Covid, I couldn't go back to Japan. That's why I went to see the Olympic Games on a big screen in the UK."

Whilst it's inevitable that for athletes the absence of in person support will be keenly felt, it goes without saying that Olympics devotees the world over will be fixed to their screens, wholeheartedly championing their teams.

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