The Tokyo Olympics are here, and it has been far from a smooth ride. From a year-long delay due to the pandemic to multiple-withdrawals and last-minute panic over Covid-19 cases among the Olympic contingent in Japan, it has been one rollercoaster of a ride.
The public sentiment in the country has been one of skepticism mixed with fear. After all, over 11,000 athletes across the globe have travelled to one location in the midst of a pandemic that has still not been controlled. However, it's now showtime and we can only hope for a relatively incident-free Games.
Local spectators are barred from almost all Games venues, with only around 900 people expected to attend the opening ceremony at Tokyo's Olympic Stadium on Friday.
When and where to watch the opening ceremony in the UAE
The build-up for the opening ceremony begins at 1pm UAE time on Friday, while the ceremony will kick off at 3pm, with an expected running time of more than three hours. The Tokyo Olympics will be shown in beIN Sports in the UAE.
What to expect at the ceremony
The ceremony has been watered down to prevent crowding, with the parade of nations, a centrepiece of the show featuring athletes, drastically reduced.
Reports of the rehearsals suggest a high-tech show including a drone display. Japan's Emperor Naruhito will be chief among the VIPs, along with some world leaders and senior figures including US First Lady Jill Biden and France President Emmanuel Macron.
Who will be the flag bearers at the opening ceremony?
In March, the International Olympic Committee announced that each nation will have the option to have two flag bearers - one male, one female - at the opening ceremony to promote gender equality.
For Greece - the nation which always leads out the opening ceremony - shooter Anna Korakaki and gymnast Eleftherios Petrounias have been selected as flag bearers, while host nation Japan will be led out by wrestler Yui Susaki and basketball player Rui Hachimura.
The flag bearers for the United States will be basketball player Sue Bird and basketball player Eddy Alvarez, and for Great Britain, sailor Hannah Mills and rower Mohamed Sbihi will have the honour.
China will be led out by volleyball player Zhu Ting and Taekwondo fighter Zhao Shuai, while India will have boxer Mary Kom and hockey player Manpreet Singh as its flag bearers.
Many nations have yet to reveal who their flag bearers will be for the opening ceremony.
What's the controversy surrounding the opening ceremony?
The show director for the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony was fired on the eve of the event over a decades-old skit referencing the Holocaust.
Kentaro Kobayashi's comments in a video of a comedy sketch from 1998 emerged online overnight and resulted in his removal.
"It came to light that during a past performance, [he] used language that mocked a tragic fact of history," Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashimoto said.
"The organising committee has decided to relieve Kobayashi of his post," she said.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
The biog
Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology
Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India
Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur
How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993
Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters
Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo
