Tokyo Olympics Begin with Very Different Opening Ceremony

Fireworks illuminate over the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

  

 After a one-year delay, the Tokyo Olympics officially began Friday. The Games began with the opening ceremony, which looked different than usual because of COVID-19 restrictions. Fewer than 1,000 people were permitted to attend the ceremony, which included the traditional flame lighting, parade of competitors and musical performances. The opening also included fireworks in blue and white, the colors of the official Tokyo 2020 emblem. Olympic organizers sent the traditional message of peace as music stars sang John Lennon and Yoko Ono's famous song Imagine. As the song played, more than 1,800 drones formed the shape of the Olympic sign in the sky before changing into the shape of the world.

Cecilia Carranza Saroli and Santiago Raul Lange, of Argentina, right, carry their country's flag during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

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Japanese Emperor Naruhito and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach -- both wearing face masks -- cheered on the competitors.

In his opening speech, Bach called the day "a moment of hope.” “Yes, it is very different from what all of us imagined. But finally we are all here together," Bach added. "You struggled. You persevered. You never gave up. Today you are making your Olympic dreams come true."

Athletes are introduced during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Seiko Hashimoto, President of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee, recognized the efforts of health workers in her comments. "With the world in a tough situation because of the coronavirus pandemic, I would like to pay my respect and express my gratitude to medical workers and all those who are working hard every day to overcome the difficulties," she said.

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka received the Olympic flame from a torch walk through the ceremony area. She lit the Olympic cauldron, officially opening the Games.

Naomi Osaka stands beside the Olympic flame after lighting it during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

A small number of athletes marched in the parade because of restrictions aimed at preventing virus infections.

Not all the athletes took pandemic measures seriously. Team members from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Pakistan paraded without masks even as most other athletes at the ceremony observed the restriction.

There has been widespread public opposition to holding the Olympics in Japan. Many health experts also urged officials to cancel the Games as Japan struggled in recent months to contain the spread of COVID-19. On Friday, hundreds of people protested outside the ceremony, shouting “Stop the Olympics.”

Earlier this week, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told IOC members that his country was committed to holding a safe and successful Games. He said the government had also taken measures necessary to protect “the health and security of the Japanese public.”

Actors perform during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Only one-third of the Japanese public has had even one injection of COVID-19 vaccine. The low vaccination rates added to fears that the Games could become a super-spreader event. More than 100 people involved with the Olympics have already tested positive for the virus.

A moment of silence was held "for all those family and friends we have lost," especially to COVID-19.

The Olympic oath, repeated by the athletes at the end of the parade, was changed for the Tokyo Games. This year, the athletes promised their commitment to inclusion, equality, and non-discrimination for the first time in Olympics history.

I’m Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press, Reuters and VOA News reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

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Words in This Story

emblem – n. a picture, object of symbol used to represent a person, group or idea

drone – n. a small, unmanned plane

mask – n. a covering for the face or part of the face: especially related to preventing the spread of disease

persevere – v. to continue to try to do something even though it is difficult

tough – adj. difficult

torch – n.​ a long stick with material that burns at the top

cauldron – n. a container that holds the traditional Olympic flame​

athlete – n. someone who competes in sports with others

gratitude – n. the feeling or quality of being thankful

positive – adj. in a medical test, positive means the person being tested has a disease or condition

VOA- US Health Agency Says Vaccinated People Can Gather without Face Coverings

People wait in line to receive Pfizer's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at a pop-up community vaccination center at the Gateway World Christian Center in Valley Stream, New York, U.S., February 23, 2021. People vaccinated against the coronavirus in the U.S. can now gather in small groups indoors without restrictions a U.S. health agency said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made the announcement on Monday. The CDC said that small vaccinated groups could gather indoors without face coverings. It also advised that vaccinated people can meet with healthy people from a single home who are unvaccinated and at low risk for severe problems related to the virus. The guidance means that grandparents who have been vaccinated can meet with their healthy, unvaccinated grandchildren. 

Many vaccinated adults had been asking whether it is safe for vaccinated older people to meet with unvaccinated family members. The CDC answered that question with its recommendation. 

 Dr. Rochelle Walensky is the CDC director. She spoke with reporters on Monday and said “we are starting to turn a corner.” She added that her agency’s guidance was a “first step” toward a return to normal life. 

Walensky said more guidelines will follow as there are fewer U.S. cases and hospitalizations related to COVID-19. However, she also said that people who have been vaccinated need to continue to wear face coverings in public and to avoid large gatherings. The CDC did not give advice to people who have been sick and recovered from the virus and who have a level of resistance to it. 

The agency said a person qualifies as fully vaccinated two weeks after the final shot. About nine percent of the U.S. population – about 31 million people – have been vaccinated so far. 

Health experts were encouraged by the agency’s announcement. They said the news should make more people interested in being vaccinated. 

Dr. Richard Besser is a former acting director of the CDC. He called the announcement “welcome news.” He said that it should add momentum to the vaccination campaign. 

Some other experts, however, were looking for a less cautious position. The CDC, for example, warned vaccinated Americans against unnecessary travel. 

Dr. Ali Khan, who used to work for the CDC and is currently the leader of the University of Nebraska’s College of Public Health, said more travel should be permitted. 

“They need to relax travel for those vaccinated,” he said. Khan added that the CDC should develop guidelines for electronic documents that prove people have been vaccinated. 

Dr. Leana Wen is a professor at George Washington University. She said this guidance should have come out sooner, possibly in January, when the first group of Americans was vaccinated. 

She said the CDC advice from Monday was “too cautious.” 

In an email to the Associated Press, Wen said the CDC has a chance to “influence state and national policy” by making guidelines that permit people who have been vaccinated to do more. 

Even with the criticism, many people were pleased by the news. 

Ruth Michienzi is a 91-year-old grandmother in Massachusetts. She had just received her second vaccine shot. She said she was happy to see her great-grandchildren without wearing a face covering for the first time in a year. 

“I hope they remember me,” she said. 

Grace McShane is 61. She also received her second injection of the vaccine on Monday. She is happy to give her grandchildren a hug and a “cuddle.” 

But she said she supports being careful. 

“Even if you’re vaccinated, it’s better to be safe than sorry. This is the new normal. This is part of life and you just have to adapt to it.”

 I’m Dan Friedell. 

Mike Stobbe wrote this story for the Associated Press. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

 What is the first thing you will do once you have the vaccine? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ 

  Words in This Story 

encourage –v. to make (someone) more determined, hopeful, or confident 

momentum –n. the strength or force that causes something to continue or to grow stronger or faster as time passes 

cautious –adj. careful about avoiding danger or risk 

relax ­–v. to cause something to become less tense or tight 

hug –v. to put your arms around someone especially as a way of showing love or friendship 

cuddle –v. to hold (someone or something) in your arms in order to show affection adapt –v. to change your behavior so that it is easier to live in a particular place or situation

INDEPENDENCE DAY- COLOMBIA

 

ON JULY 20

Christopher Columbus is credited with the discovery of Columbia. Columbia was under the Spain ruler since 1500. In 1549, Audiencia in Santa Fe de Bogotá gave capital status to New Granada, which is now a part of Columbia. On July 20, 1810, the citizens of Bogotá formed the first representative concil to withstand Spanish authority, and achieved full independence in 1810. The struggle for independence in Columbia received an impetus led by great freedom fighters Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Paula Santander in New Granada which resulted in the Battle of Boyacá, on August 7, 1819. Bolívar was subsequently elected as the first president of Greater Columbia and Francisco de Paula Santander, as its vice president.
Today Independence day is annually celebrated, with a Patriotic parade, musical Program and hoisting flag.