PM Modi cheers for Team India at Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics began on Friday in a nearly empty stadium after a year-long pandemic postponement and a build-up marred by scandal and controversy. A video showing athletes training at home during the coronavirus pandemic started the show, with pink fireworks bursting into the air after a countdown. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wished to the Indian athletes representing India at Tokyo Olympics 2020 in Japan. Modi stood up and applauded the national team during the opening ceremony parade which was led by Mary Kom and Manpreet Singh. 

Come, let us all #Cheer4India!

Caught a few glimpses of the @Tokyo2020 Opening Ceremony.

Wishing our dynamic contingent the very best. #Tokyo2020pic.twitter.com/iYqrrhTgk0

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2021

Some of the other athletes included Simranjeet Kaur, Vikas Krishan, Manish Kaushik, Satish Kumar, Ashish Kumar, Amit Panghal Pooja Rani, Lovlina Borgohain, Sathiyan, Sutirtha Mukherjee, Bhavani Devi, Pranati Nayak, Sajan Prakash, and Ankita Raina. After Argentina and Italy's massive contingents and Iran, India's biggest ever contingent walked in for their appearance.The parade  ended with hosts Japan. Unlike previous times, the nations will walk out for the parade in the order of the Japanese alphabet - a move that was approved to help push the country's culture. In 1964, Tokyo became the first Asian city to host the Olympic Games.