The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics has began.

Thelagostimes gathered that the ceremony began on Friday in a nearly empty stadium after a year-long pandemic postponement and a build-up marred by scandal and controversy.

A video showing athletes training at home during the coronavirus pandemic started the show, with pink fireworks bursting into the air after a countdown.

The ceremony in the 68,000-capacity stadium is taking place before just a few hundred officials and dignitaries, including Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, French President Emmanuel Macron and US First Lady Jill Biden.

Athletes, support staff and media were reportedly subject to strict Covid-19 protocols, including regular testing and daily health checks.