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.

https://t.co/LpqJCHBQ2i Pita Taufatofua: when does Tonga’s topless Olympic flag bearer compete in taekwondo at Tokyo 2020? https://t.co/qRkAq6kTwm

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https://t.co/LpqJCHBQ2i Pita Taufatofua: when does Tonga’s topless Olympic flag bearer compete in taekwondo at Tokyo 2020? https://t.co/qRkAq6kTwm

RT @smgimagesonline: I know it's been a while since the Olympics have ended but a friend of mine asked me to draw the athlete Pita Taufatof…

I know it's been a while since the Olympics have ended but a friend of mine asked me to draw the athlete Pita Taufatofua for her. I was pleased with how it turned out and wanted to share it. #Olympics #PitaTaufatofua #InkDrawing #art #ArtistOnTwitter #nobodyartistclub https://t.co/QPfy34d6ri

This is beautiful. Check out Pita Taufatofua's video! #TikTok https://t.co/HAVOy7zEMP

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https://t.co/BSgtwNT6Mo Behold, Tongan Flag Bearer Pita Taufatofua's "Top Secret" to His Oily Skin https://t.co/JTs6SKLe11

Expect anything from @pitaTofua when he’s ready for #Beijing2022. Even he’ll probably wear thermals underneath his grass skirt while topless during the parade of nations. #OlympicGames Pita Taufatofua raises spirits again in Tokyo 2020 loss https://t.co/Q1KRCauJwn

RT @enews: Behold, Tongan Flag Bearer Pita Taufatofua's "Top Secret" to His Oily Skin https://t.co/7xummejgSk

Tonga's beloved shirtless flagbearer returns for Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony https://t.co/hREwrlfMfG https://t.co/vHZUqlR8Dz

RT @enews: Behold, Tongan Flag Bearer Pita Taufatofua's "Top Secret" to His Oily Skin https://t.co/7xummejgSk

'More topless men please!' Shirtless Samoan athletes steal the show at Olympics Closing Ceremony - after Taekwondo fighter Pita Taufatofua went viral at the start of the games https://t.co/9ZttgG4OuH https://t.co/bs0UxAfqMX

RT @rapplerdotcom: @nesthypetecio11 @Olympics @Tokyo2020 LOOK: Pita Taufatofua of Tonga and team members during the closing ceremony Anto…

RT @RapplerSports: @nesthypetecio11 @Olympics @Tokyo2020 LOOK: Pita Taufatofua of Tonga and team members during the closing ceremony Phot…

RT @rapplerdotcom: @nesthypetecio11 @Olympics @Tokyo2020 LOOK: Pita Taufatofua of Tonga and team members during the closing ceremony Anto…

RT @rapplerdotcom: @nesthypetecio11 @Olympics @Tokyo2020 LOOK: Pita Taufatofua of Tonga and team members during the closing ceremony Anto…

Double Standards This Olympic Heartthrob Is More Than a Hot Bod https://t.co/NSVD6AZMpd via @vice Inside the Disturbing Subreddit That Sexualizes Photos of Olympic Women https://t.co/AFRJxbz1mz via @vice

ICYMI: Internet and social media sensation Pita Taufatofua has done something no other Olympic athlete has accomplished. https://t.co/Llhs0eZrNt

Tongan Flag Bearer Pita Taufatofua Reveals the 'Secret' to His Oily Skin! https://t.co/IZQvplvbYF via @JustJared

RT @JustJared: Tongan flag bearer Pita Taufatofua reveals how he gets so oiled up! https://t.co/u13p8exWeY

RT @JustJared: Tongan flag bearer Pita Taufatofua reveals how he gets so oiled up! https://t.co/u13p8exWeY

RT @JustJared: Tongan flag bearer Pita Taufatofua reveals how he gets so oiled up! https://t.co/u13p8exWeY

RT @JustJared: Tongan flag bearer Pita Taufatofua reveals how he gets so oiled up! https://t.co/u13p8exWeY

Tongan flag bearer Pita Taufatofua reveals how he gets so oiled up! https://t.co/u13p8exWeY

Tongan Flag Bearer Pita Taufatofua Reveals "Secret" to His Oily Skin - E! Online #worldnews #breakingnews #latestnews #politicnews ... https://t.co/W9NkdkxJOr

Behold, Tongan Flag Bearer Pita Taufatofua's "Top Secret" to His Oily Skin https://t.co/BtXL0PbV8P

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Behold, Tongan Flag Bearer Pita Taufatofua's "Top Secret" to His Oily Skin https://t.co/ZwHN1vT4Cz https://t.co/69MyW0ydJm

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RT @enews: Behold, Tongan Flag Bearer Pita Taufatofua's "Top Secret" to His Oily Skin https://t.co/7xummejgSk

Behold, Tongan Flag Bearer Pita Taufatofua's "Top Secret" to His Oily Skin https://t.co/ImiCpO0MmC