TOKYO — Some of the world’s best athletes have descended upon Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games.

“Although there will be no spectators in Tokyo, you can expect fireworks, flag bearers and fanfare as each of the competing nations are led out by Greece, home of the Ancient Olympic Games, with host nation Japan entering the stadium last,” Olympic officials said.

The theme of the opening ceremony is “United by Emotion,” which hopes to “bring fresh hope and encouragement to people around the world through the active appearance of athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Games and via the power of sport” after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“People all over the world spent the past year living under the threat of COVID-19, and the Tokyo 2020 Games will be held in the midst of this unprecedented pandemic,” Olympic officials said. “We are all different ages and nationalities and come from all walks of life, and now on top of that we are physically separated. That is why we want everyone to experience the same excitement, joy, and at times disappointment, through the athletes’ competitive performances.”s