Tokyo Olympics 2021 opening ceremony: UK start time, how long is it and Team GB flagbearers

A year later than billed, the Olympic Games are today finally beginning Tokyo as the largest sporting event on the planet set to get underway.

The coronavirus pandemic saw the Games pushed back 12 months, meaning it’s been five years since the Olympic flame was handed over to Japan by Brazil at the end of Rio 2016.

Here’s everything you need to know about the long-awaited opening ceremony...

When is the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony?

The Tokyo Olympic Games opening ceremony will take place on Friday, July 23.

The first events of the Games have already begun with the group stage of the football tournaments.

What time is the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony and how long is it?

The opening ceremony is set to get underway at 8pm local time, which translates to 12pm BST in the UK, and is scheduled to last three hours.

Where is the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony being held?

As is tradition, the opening ceremony will be held in the main Olympic Stadium, which will host athletics and football during the Games.

What can we expect from the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony?

As is always the case, specific details have been kept under wraps, but rumours ahead of last year’s planned ceremony suggested Japan’s technological advancements and video game characters would play prominent roles.

At Rio 2016, former Prime Minster Shinzo Abe dressed up as Mario from the Mario Bros. video game franchise as part of the closing ceremony.

Will there be fans at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony?

No. International fans had already been banned from attending the Games but after a state of emergency was declared in Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures in early July, that has extended to a total ban on spectators at most venues.

Who will carry the flag for Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony?

Great Britain announced on Thursday that sailor Hannah Mills and rower Moe Sbihi will be their flagbearers, with countries allowed to nominate both a male and female carrier for the first time.

Both Sbihi and Mills won gold in Rio.

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