Tokyo-The opening ceremony of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games took place at Olympic Stadium on July 23, 2021.
The opening ceremony was attended by Japan’s Emperor Naruhito who announced the games open. In attendance also were H.E President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach and Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain.
Four-time major tennis champion Naomi Osaka had the honour of lighting the Tokyo2020 Olympic cauldron.
Mohammed Al Rumaihi and Tala Abujbara carried Qatar’s national flag at the opening ceremony.
Earlier yesterday, Tala Abujbara finished fifth in heat number 5 of the women’s singles sculls rowing competition on the opening day of the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Tala, who was in lane number three, failed to match the pace set by others and finished outside the top three in a time of 8min 6.29sec.
The winning time in the heats at the Sea Forest Waterway was 7:37.91 by Austria’s Magdalena Lobnig. Canada’s Carling Zeeman (7:40.72) and Namibia’s Maike Diekmann (7:56.37) followed in that order. The top three qualified for the quarterfinal.
Tala still has a chance to make the last eight needing to place in the top two in the repechage race on Saturday. Her race is scheduled for 8.30am (2.30 am Doha time).
The Qatari rower was excited to take part in her first Olympics.
“It feels amazing. When I woke up this morning, I was really excited, more excited than nervous. I raced at the Olympics. It’s been a dream of mine for many years now. I’ve nothing but positive energy today,” she said.
Qatar’s Judoka Ayoub El Idriss will begin his campaign in Men’s 66 event on Sunday while Abdulaziz Al Obaidly will participate in Men’s 200m breaststroke swimming event on Tuesday.
The official training sessions of men’s trap event will begin on Monday. Qatar’s Mohamed Al Rumaihi will begin his campaign at Tokyo Olympics on July 28.
Men’s beach volleyball competitions will get underway on Sunday. In their opening match, Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan will take Adrian Heidrich and Mirco Gerson of Switzerland at the Shiokaze Park.
Source: Qatar Olympic Committee
