Rather than presenting a glitzy production, the four-hour Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games contemplated how, especially in the wake of a global pandemic, the sway of sport can keep us connected, writes Amy Bass.

The 2020 Olympics officially opened Friday with a barrage of fireworks, nods to Japan’s history and culture, and a mesmerizing drone display over Tokyo’s night sky.

TOKYO (AP) — The 2020 Olympics officially opened Friday with a barrage of fireworks, nods to Japan’s history and culture, and a mesmerizing drone display over Tokyo’s night sky.

The opening ceremony was altered due to constraints linked to the COVID pandemic—but there were still plenty of moments to enthrall fans watching from home.

The pandemic Olympics began Friday morning with an awkward, tonally dissonant opening ceremony that wasn't memorable, other than for COVID.

With no fans in attendance and a reduced number of athletes joining the parade, the Tokyo Olympics' Opening Ceremony officially kicked off the Summer Games on Friday as tennis star Naomi Osaka lit the cauldron.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach declared the ceremony “a moment of hope”.

Take a look back the the best memes to come out of the Olympic games that include Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Shaunae Miller and Pita Taufatofua.

Flag bearer Malia Paseka of Tonga and Pita Taufatofua of Tonga lead their contingent during the athletes parade at the opening ceremony. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Tonga's Pita Taufatofua went viral on social media in 2016 when he appeared topless in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. He did the same two years

Pita Taufatofua previously bore his country’s flag while shirtless in Rio and Pyeongchang

Vanuatu’s Riilio Rii appeared to be the new heartthrob at the forefront of the Olympics opening ceremonies on Friday.

Pita Taufatofua returned to the Olympics, shirtless yet again. This time, he had company as Vanuatu rower Riilio Rii was also shirtless.

See what the Tokyo Opening Ceremony looked like with almost no spectators.

Pita Taufatofua was back at the Olympics on Friday holding the Tongan flag at the opening ceremonies in Tokyo and causing social media to swoon once again.

Known for donning his ta'ovala during the opening ceremonies, Pita Taufatofua is hoping to inspire all of Oceania in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

He's back for a third time!

NBC officials also confirmed that they will host a watch party for athletes' family and friends at an NBCUniversal resort in Orlando.

The contingent includes the defending gold-medal-winning men's rugby sevens team as COVID-19 regulations in Asia have forced altered travel arrangements.

Famous athletes in sports like tennis and golf heading to the Tokyo Olympics will probably arrive in Japan at the front of the plane.

Famous athletes in sports like tennis and golf at the Tokyo Olympics will probably arrive in Japan in the front of the plane

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Famous athletes in sports like tennis and golf heading to the Tokyo Olympics will probably arrive in Japan at the front of the plane.

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @NBCOlympics: 6 years ago today, the world was introduced to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer who went viral at the 2016 Rio @Oly…

RT @insidethegames: #Tonga's #taekwondo and cross-country skiing Olympian Pita Taufatofua has been recognised for his contribution to sport…

RT @insidethegames: #Tonga's #taekwondo and cross-country skiing Olympian Pita Taufatofua has been recognised for his contribution to sport…

RT @SamsungMobile: Check out how #TeamSamsungGalaxy member and famed Tonga flag bearer Pita Taufatofua is using technology to raise awarene…

This was the best chat: "No risk, no reward" with Tongan flag bearer, Pita Taufatofua @pitaTofua https://t.co/2kDUJDVxtJ via @YouTube

New Episode! "WALL 22: "No Risk, No Reward" with Tongan Flag Bearer, Pita Taufatofua" All of us here have our own dreams that we want to pursue, but due to the fear that’s holding us back, most of t… Player links & show notes: https://t.co/Wt9XKauvLY

RT @animoller: If you're reading this and have a few $ to share, pls donate to the #TongaEruption #Tsunami fundraiser. Just because it's no…

RT @animoller: If you're reading this and have a few $ to share, pls donate to the #TongaEruption #Tsunami fundraiser. Just because it's no…

RT @animoller: If you're reading this and have a few $ to share, pls donate to the #TongaEruption #Tsunami fundraiser. Just because it's no…

RT @animoller: If you're reading this and have a few $ to share, pls donate to the #TongaEruption #Tsunami fundraiser. Just because it's no…

RT @animoller: If you're reading this and have a few $ to share, pls donate to the #TongaEruption #Tsunami fundraiser. Just because it's no…

RT @animoller: If you're reading this and have a few $ to share, pls donate to the #TongaEruption #Tsunami fundraiser. Just because it's no…

RT @animoller: If you're reading this and have a few $ to share, pls donate to the #TongaEruption #Tsunami fundraiser. Just because it's no…

RT @ship_to_hell: hey, since this is gettin mad numbers, help out the island of tonga! https://t.co/3mm6YdR7pQ

Did you hear about the January 15th volcano eruption and subsequent tsunami in the island nation of Tonga? Neither did I, until now. Join me in donating to the Tonga Tsunami relief fund by Pita Taufatofua https://t.co/hbwBYpOZfv

RT @ship_to_hell: hey, since this is gettin mad numbers, help out the island of tonga! https://t.co/3mm6YdR7pQ

Girrrl, I’m pretty sure that’s Pita Taufatofua https://t.co/1h29yCZFUP

RT @ship_to_hell: hey, since this is gettin mad numbers, help out the island of tonga! https://t.co/3mm6YdR7pQ

RT @fekita_u: PM Huakavameiliku took the opportunity in Brisbane to personally thank Pita Taufatofua Jr for his efforts and rounding suppor…