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Tokyo 2020 Olympics to Offically Open Friday Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

TOKYO – After being postponed for one year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are set to officially kick off Friday with the opening ceremony taking place from 8 p.m. JST without spectators at the National Stadium in the Japanese capital.

About 11,000 athletes from over 200 countries and regions will compete in 33 different sports at 339 events across 42 venues.

Tokyo, the host city, is under a fourth state of emergency as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the metropolis.

The Japanese team comprises a record 582 athletes who will compete in all featured sports, while the team from the Philippines is consists of 19 Olympians who will represent the country in 11 sports.

The Olympics will run for 17 days until Aug. 8. - Florenda Corpuz

(Article cover photo: The National Stadium in Tokyo on July 23. Photo by Din Eugenio)