The opening ceremony of the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics has a year late but for many, it was worth the wait.

Torch bearers pass on the Olympic flame in Shinjuku, Tokyo, on Friday. | REUTERS
Torch bearers pass on the Olympic flame in Shinjuku, Tokyo, on Friday. | REUTERS

Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the National Stadium. | BLOOMBERG
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the National Stadium. | BLOOMBERG

Protesters make themselves hear outside the Japan National Stadium. | REUTERS
Protesters make themselves hear outside the Japan National Stadium. | REUTERS

Nurse/boxer Arisa Tsubata performs during an early part of the opening ceremony. | AFP-JIJI
Nurse/boxer Arisa Tsubata performs during an early part of the opening ceremony. | AFP-JIJI

Husain Al Sayyad of Bahrain and Noor Yusuf Abdulla of Bahrain lead their team during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. | REUTERS
Husain Al Sayyad of Bahrain and Noor Yusuf Abdulla of Bahrain lead their team during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. | REUTERS

Flag bearers Malia Paseka and Pita Taufatofua lead the Olympic team from Tonga into the Olympic Stadium | DOUG MILLS / THE NEW YORK TIMES
Flag bearers Malia Paseka and Pita Taufatofua lead the Olympic team from Tonga into the Olympic Stadium | DOUG MILLS / THE NEW YORK TIMES

Athletes from Denmark enter the stadium during the opening ceremony's Parade of Nations. | REUTERS
Athletes from Denmark enter the stadium during the opening ceremony's Parade of Nations. | REUTERS

Athletes from Hong Kong during the opening ceremony's Parade of Nations | REUTERS
Athletes from Hong Kong during the opening ceremony's Parade of Nations | REUTERS

Police officers block protestors outside the Japan National Stadium during the opening ceremony on Friday. | (PHOTO BY YASUYOSHI CHIBA / AFP)
Police officers block protestors outside the Japan National Stadium during the opening ceremony on Friday. | (PHOTO BY YASUYOSHI CHIBA / AFP)

Fireworks go off around the Japan Natonal Stadium after the lighting of the Olympic flame. | AFP-JIJI
Fireworks go off around the Japan Natonal Stadium after the lighting of the Olympic flame. | AFP-JIJI

Fireworks light up the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony | AFP-JIJI
Fireworks light up the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony | AFP-JIJI

Naomi Osaka of Japan carries the Olympic torch ahead of lighting the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony | REUTERS
Naomi Osaka of Japan carries the Olympic torch ahead of lighting the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony | REUTERS

Tennis start Naomi Osaka lights the flame of hope in the Olympic Cauldron during the opening ceremony. | AFP-JIJI
Tennis star Naomi Osaka lights the flame of hope in the Olympic Cauldron during the opening ceremony. | AFP-JIJI

Tokyo 2020 Olympics daily photo galleries