TOKYO — Moments before Japan’s Emperor Naruhito opened the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, singers from all over the world became one voice imagining world peace.
Singers like John Legend sang John Lennon’s “Imagine” before doves were released as a symbol of peace, The Washington Post reported.
He was joined by Angelique Kidjo, Alejandro Sanz and Keith Urban, CNN reported.
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The Olympics said this isn’t the first time “Imagine” became an anthem for the games. The organization shared a short retrospective of past performances on Twitter.
This is not the first time we've seen 'Imagine' featured at an #OpeningCeremony of an Olympic Games.
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021
Take a trip down memory lane... 🕊️#StrongerTogether #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/MjNKYLG6UM
Organizers also took a moment not only to honor the athletes who are competing in mostly empty venues during the COVID-19 pandemic but also the front-line medical workers who have given countless hours treating coronavirus patients.
The interlude came after more than 1,800 drones formed a globe and the Tokyo 2020 logo in the night sky over the city.
Oh wow, this drone performance is awesome! #Tokyo2020 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/2PAQlACcTs
— Jaehwan Cho 조재환 (@hohocho) July 23, 2021
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