Tokyo Olympics: Emperor Naruhito to get the Games underway?

By Team Newsable  |  First Published Jul 14, 2021, 7:27 PM IST

The Tokyo Olympics is barely nine days away from its opening ceremony. While the ceremony is expected to be grand, one of the attractions would be the moment when the Games is officially underway, with Emperor Naruhito expected to flag it off.


Just nine remain before the world grips itself into the sporting fever, as the Tokyo Olympics is set to get underway from July 23. The opening ceremony is slated to be held on the same day.

One of the attractions of the ceremony happens to be the moment when the Games is officially underway. Meanwhile, Kyodo News has reported that Emperor Naruhito would be the chief guest who would get the Games underway. It also adds that he would be meeting "foreign dignitaries at the Imperial Palace."

Tap to resize

Latest Videos

Tap to resize

As per the Olympic Charter, the country's head gets the Games underway. Interestingly, Emperor Naruhito had earlier protested through Imperial Household Agency Yasuhiko Nishimura against hosting the Games, which could accelerate the coronavirus spread.

ALSO WATCH: Tokyo Olympics official theme song by AR Rahman for Indian contingent

"His majesty is extremely worried about the prevailing situation of the COVID infections. While there are voices of unease among the public, I believe is concerned that holding the Games (Olympics and Paralympics) may lead to the expansion of the infections," Nishimura had said earlier.

Meanwhile, Naruhito would become the third emperor to accept the honorary patron role, while he would be the first to do it for both the Olympics and Paralympics. While his father, Emperor Akihito, had done the same during the 1998 Nagano Winter Games, grandfather Emperor Hirohito did it during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and 1972 Sapporo Winter Games.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona

click me!