The Tokyo Olympics officially open on July 23 – one year later than originally planned and in an Olympic stadium that will be empty of spectators thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Monirul Bhuiyan
While Tokyo is not the first Olympics to have been rescheduled or cancelled – the Olympics did not run during either of the world wars, and the Antwerp Olympics in 1920 were a modest affair – it is the first to have been postponed just months out from the opening ceremony. Photo: Monirul Bhuiyan
The initial estimated cost was US$7.3 billion, which was revised up to $15.4 billion in December 2020, but some estimates now indicate it has blown out to US$25 billion. Photo: Monirul Bhuiyan
The games will also have the highest ratio of female competitors in the history of the Olympics. Photo: Monirul Bhuiyan
With the introduction of several new sports, these games will also have the highest number of events in the history of the Olympics. Photo: Monirul Bhuiyan
NBC's broadcast of the Tokyo Olympic Games opening ceremony drew 16.7 million viewers, the smallest U.S. television audience for the event in the past 33 years, according to preliminary data from Comcast-owned NBCUniversal on Saturday. Photo: Monirul Bhuiyan
Across all platforms, including NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app, 17 million people watched the ceremony, NBCUniversal said in an email. Photo: Monirul Bhuiyan
Friday's audience reflects a steep drop, despite difficult comparisons with previous opening ceremonies when viewers had fewer streaming options. Photo: Monirul Bhuiyan
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