All 29 athletes in the Olympic refugee team will march behind the Olympic flag at the Tokyo Games opening ceremony on Friday, an organiser said, to represent the more than 82 million displaced people across the globe.

The International Olympic Committee unveiled its first refugee team at the Rio 2016 Olympics to raise awareness of the issue as hundreds of thousands of people poured into Europe from the Middle East and elsewhere escaping conflict and poverty.

"The Olympic refugee team is representing 82.5 million forcibly displaced people and refugees around the world," James Macleod, the IOC's director of Olympic solidarity, told a virtual news conference.

"There is a feeling of hope that they can shine a spotlight on this issue."

For the Tokyo Games, the team comprised of people from countries including Syria, South Sudan, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iran is almost three times as big as the inaugural team at the Rio.

All of the athletes arrived in Tokyo by late Thursday after a delay in some of their trips following a positive COVID-19 test of a team official at a training camp in Qatar.

The athletes will march into the stadium during the opening ceremony in second place behind ancient Games founders Greece and will compete in 12 sports.

"Everyone is excited, but they are, like any other elite-level athletes, trying to concentrate on the Games," Macleod said.

Six of them competed at Rio, but for the rest, it will be their first Games.

"What we don't do with the refugee Olympic team is to project medals and results," Macleod said."We want the athletes not to have that pressure, we want them to be able to enjoy the participation here."

All 29 athletes in the Olympic refugee team will march behind the Olympic flag at the Tokyo Games opening ceremony on Friday, an organiser said, to represent the more than 82 million displaced people across the globe.

All 29 athletes in the Olympic refugee team will march behind the Olympic flag at the Tokyo Games opening ceremony on Friday, an organiser said, to represent the more than 82 million displaced people across the globe. The International Olympic Committee unveiled its first refugee team at the Rio 2016 Olympics to raise awareness of the issue as hundreds of thousands of people poured into Europe from the Middle East and elsewhere escaping conflict and poverty. "The Olympic refugee team is representing 82.5 million forcibly displaced people and refugees around the world," James Macleod, the IOC's director of Olympic solidarity, told a virtual news conference. "There is a feeling of hope that they can shine a spotlight on this issue." For the Tokyo Games, the team comprised of people from countries including Syria, South Sudan, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iran is almost three times as big as the inaugural team at the Rio. All of the athletes arrived in Tokyo by late Thursday after a delay in some of their trips following a positive COVID-19 test of a team official at a training camp in Qatar. The athletes will march into the stadium during the opening ceremony in second place behind ancient Games founders Greece and will compete in 12 sports. "Everyone is excited, but they are, like any other elite-level athletes, trying to concentrate on the Games," Macleod said. Six of them competed at Rio, but for the rest, it will be their first Games. "What we don't do with the refugee Olympic team is to project medals and results," Macleod said."We want the athletes not to have that pressure, we want them to be able to enjoy the participation here."

Tokyo Olympics: All athletes in refugee team to join opening ceremony

Olympic Games' super fan, Kyoko Ishikawa, gears up for Covid-ridden Tokyo 2020

The Tokyo Olympics organising committee announced on Friday that 110 people have been infected with the coronavirus as a result of the Games.

The coronavirus has been diagnosed in 19 persons, including three who are living at the Olympic Village in the capital's Harumi seaside district.

The daily figure was the highest since the committee began announcing COVID-19 positive cases among persons associated with the Olympics on July 1st.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who is determined to hold the Olympics, placed Tokyo under a state of emergency on July 12, but daily cases have sharply increased since then.

Meanwhile, new COVID-19 cases in Tokyo touched a six-month high on Thursday, one day before the Olympics begin, raising fears of a worsening of infections during the Games.

The 1,979 new cases reported on Thursday are the most since 2,044 were reported on January 15.

Japan has reported about 853,000 cases and 15,100 deaths since the pandemic began, most of them this year.

Still, the number of cases and deaths as a share of the population are much lower than in many other countries.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Tokyo Olympics organising committee announced on Friday that 110 people have been infected with the coronavirus as a result of the Games. The coronavirus has been diagnosed in 19 persons, including three who are living at the Olympic Village in the capital's Harumi seaside district.

The Tokyo Olympics organising committee announced on Friday that 110 people have been infected with the coronavirus as a result of the Games. The coronavirus has been diagnosed in 19 persons, including three who are living at the Olympic Village in the capital's Harumi seaside district. The daily figure was the highest since the committee began announcing COVID-19 positive cases among persons associated with the Olympics on July 1st. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who is determined to hold the Olympics, placed Tokyo under a state of emergency on July 12, but daily cases have sharply increased since then. Meanwhile, new COVID-19 cases in Tokyo touched a six-month high on Thursday, one day before the Olympics begin, raising fears of a worsening of infections during the Games. The 1,979 new cases reported on Thursday are the most since 2,044 were reported on January 15. Japan has reported about 853,000 cases and 15,100 deaths since the pandemic began, most of them this year. Still, the number of cases and deaths as a share of the population are much lower than in many other countries. (With inputs from agencies)

Tokyo Olympics: COVID-19 cases among Games-related persons cross 100

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have finally started. After being postponed for nearly a year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Tokyo is ready to host one of the biggest and most controversial games.

With the opening ceremony a few hours away, here is a list of main events that will be taking place from July 23 onwards (all time slots are in BST).

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-day-1-live-updates-indian-men-archers-finish-below-30-places-399834" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics Live: Indian men archers finish below 30 places</a></h2>

<h1>July 23, Friday — Day Zero</h1>

<h2>Archery</h2>

In the morning in Tokyo, archers set out to compete for a ranking round. While this round will not result in anyone’s elimination, it will help determine seeding for women’s and men’s individual tournaments.

<h2>Rowing</h2>

A similar rowing competition is also scheduled for the morning which will see the participation of known players such as Vicky Thornley, Olaf Tufte and more.

<h2>Opening ceremony</h2>

The opening ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will begin around 12pm BST and will continue till 4 pm.

While usually there are always some elements of surprise and air of curiosity around the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, this year’s ceremony will be toned down.

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the guest list has been limited to a selected few, including the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/after-jill-biden-emmanuel-macron-arrives-in-japan-for-tokyo-2020-opening-ceremony-399840">First Lady of the United States Jill Biden, and the French President Emmanuel Macron</a>. Due to the fear of COVID-19 in Tokyo, no fans will be allowed to enjoy the games from the Olympic stands this year.

This year, the opening ceremony is hoped to be based on Japan’s influence and place in the world of technology. However, the same has not been confirmed by the authorities yet.

In a first, teams will be entering the opening ceremony as per the Japanese-language order, rather than following the English alphabet as usual. However, like every year, Greece will be entering first as it is the originating Olympic host country, and since the host nation enters last, Japan will be the last team to enter the stadium.

<h1 class="MsoNormal">July 24, Saturday — Day one</h1>

Day one of the Olympic Games after the opening ceremony will host 11 medal events. The events that are scheduled for July 24 are Archery (mixed), cycling (men’s road race at 03:00), fencing (men’s sabre and women’s epee), Judo (women’s 48kg and men’s 60kg), weightlifting for women’s 49 kg category, taekwondo (women’s 49 kg and men’s 58 kg) and shooting (women’s 10m air rifle and men’s 10m air pistol).

In addition to this, men’s artistic gymnastics qualifiers are also scheduled to start from 02:00 till 14:00. Other swimming events, majorly only heats, will also start from Saturday.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have finally started. After being postponed for nearly a year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Tokyo is ready to host one of the biggest and most controversial games.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have finally started. After being postponed for nearly a year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Tokyo is ready to host one of the biggest and most controversial games. With the opening ceremony a few hours away, here is a list of main events that will be taking place from July 23 onwards (all time slots are in BST). Tokyo Olympics Live: Indian men archers finish below 30 places July 23, Friday — Day Zero Archery In the morning in Tokyo, archers set out to compete for a ranking round. While this round will not result in anyone’s elimination, it will help determine seeding for women’s and men’s individual tournaments. Rowing A similar rowing competition is also scheduled for the morning which will see the participation of known players such as Vicky Thornley, Olaf Tufte and more. Opening ceremony The opening ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will begin around 12pm BST and will continue till 4 pm. While usually there are always some elements of surprise and air of curiosity around the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, this year’s ceremony will be toned down. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the guest list has been limited to a selected few, including the First Lady of the United States Jill Biden, and the French President Emmanuel Macron. Due to the fear of COVID-19 in Tokyo, no fans will be allowed to enjoy the games from the Olympic stands this year. This year, the opening ceremony is hoped to be based on Japan’s influence and place in the world of technology. However, the same has not been confirmed by the authorities yet. In a first, teams will be entering the opening ceremony as per the Japanese-language order, rather than following the English alphabet as usual. However, like every year, Greece will be entering first as it is the originating Olympic host country, and since the host nation enters last, Japan will be the last team to enter the stadium. July 24, Saturday — Day one Day one of the Olympic Games after the opening ceremony will host 11 medal events. The events that are scheduled for July 24 are Archery (mixed), cycling (men’s road race at 03:00), fencing (men’s sabre and women’s epee), Judo (women’s 48kg and men’s 60kg), weightlifting for women’s 49 kg category, taekwondo (women’s 49 kg and men’s 58 kg) and shooting (women’s 10m air rifle and men’s 10m air pistol). In addition to this, men’s artistic gymnastics qualifiers are also scheduled to start from 02:00 till 14:00. Other swimming events, majorly only heats, will also start from Saturday.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games: A guide of main events schedule and timings

The Tokyo Organising Committee stated Thursday that Kentaro Kobayashi, the director of the Olympics opening ceremony, has been removed from his position following news reports concerning his past statements about the Holocaust.

According to Japanese media sites, in a screenplay for his comedy performance in 1998, Kobayashi made light of the Nazis' mass murder of 6 million Jews, stating, "Let's play Holocaust."&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-two-olympic-athletes-test-positive-for-covid-19-say-organisers-399588">Also read | Tokyo Olympics 2020: Two Olympic athletes test positive for COVID-19, say organisers</a> 
 
Kobayashi's remarks drew immediate condemnation, especially from the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which criticised what it called anti-Semitic humour by the comedian.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kick-it-right-back-at-them-japan-pm-denies-being-pressurised-to-hold-tokyo-2020-399483">Also read | 'Kick it right back at them': Japan PM denies being pressurised to hold Tokyo 2020</a>

Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto told a briefing that Kentaro Kobayashi had been dismissed because of past comments that made fun of a tragedy.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, COVID-19 infections in Tokyo reached a six-month high, with 1,832 new cases reported just two days before the Games began.

Tokyo is currently in its fourth state of emergency, which will remain until August 22 and will span the entirety of the Olympics, which begin on Friday and end on August 8.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Tokyo Organising Committee stated Thursday that Kentaro Kobayashi, the director of the Olympics opening ceremony, has been removed from his position following news reports concerning his past statements about the Holocaust.

The Tokyo Organising Committee stated Thursday that Kentaro Kobayashi, the director of the Olympics opening ceremony, has been removed from his position following news reports concerning his past statements about the Holocaust. According to Japanese media sites, in a screenplay for his comedy performance in 1998, Kobayashi made light of the Nazis' mass murder of 6 million Jews, stating, "Let's play Holocaust." Also read | Tokyo Olympics 2020: Two Olympic athletes test positive for COVID-19, say organisers Kobayashi's remarks drew immediate condemnation, especially from the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which criticised what it called anti-Semitic humour by the comedian. Also read | 'Kick it right back at them': Japan PM denies being pressurised to hold Tokyo 2020 Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto told a briefing that Kentaro Kobayashi had been dismissed because of past comments that made fun of a tragedy. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, COVID-19 infections in Tokyo reached a six-month high, with 1,832 new cases reported just two days before the Games began. Tokyo is currently in its fourth state of emergency, which will remain until August 22 and will span the entirety of the Olympics, which begin on Friday and end on August 8. (With inputs from agencies)

Director of Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony ousted over past comments on Holocaust