An Olympic Opening Ceremony Like No Other

SELINA WANG, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bianna, it’s so hard to believe that, after so many years of preparation, more than $15 billion spent on this, these Games are finally here, even with questions leading up to the final moments as to whether or not Japan could actually pull this off. Here on the ground, though, there is still major opposition to the Olympics. In fact, there were protesters chanting throughout the Olympic Opening Ceremony for these Games to be canceled. And I have been attending these anti-Olympic protests for several months now. And they have a strong feeling that these Games are being held at the expense of people’s health and their lives. Many people here are frustrated that the Games are being held as their lives are being restricted, with Tokyo under a state of emergency, COVID-19 cases still surging in the host city, and just about 20 percent of the population fully vaccinated. But I spoke to several bystanders today who are outside of the National Stadium observing everything that was happening around them. And they had some mixed feelings. Take a listen to what they had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They might need to control the corona better first, and then think about it. Yes, that’s what I feel like.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I had 20 tickets to the Games. All my sisters were supposed to come to Japan to experience it with me. And so it’s kind of bittersweet that I can’t do it anymore. Up until two weeks ago, I still thought I was going to go to the Games, and they canceled all of it. So I’m trying to get as close as possible as I can, because I love the Olympics.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we are worried. But I think it’s just once in a lifetime. So we’re here to support it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WANG: But, Bianna, these Games are not at all what Japan had hoped for. They wanted the economic boost from tourists. They wanted to be able to have spectators and fans and be able to show the country’s culture and hospitality to people from all around the world.

GOLODRYGA: Yes, it had been planned for 2020, right? And now here we are, a year later, and still so much controversy surrounding these Games. I was watching you earlier on our air. And it is surreal to see that stadium, which can hold nearly 80,000 people, hosts maybe 900 or so to those Opening Ceremonies. And the ceremony was beautiful. I thought that the drones — I think, what was it, 1, 800 drones that made up a globe — was just quite a marvelous presentation. But it does look different. And it must feel that way for athletes too.

WANG: Exactly. And, for athletes, it’s an incredibly stressful time, of course, excited to finally have a chance to compete, many of these athletes saying they’re grateful to have this opportunity, but also growing stories of heartbreak too. Now at least 20 athletes are not able to compete because of COVID-19, devastating stories of athletes saying that they missed their one chance, one even saying that her career is now over now, after just one mistake. Well, she doesn’t even know where she got COVID, now out of the Games. But, as you say, this opening ceremony absolutely surreal.