Tokyo Olympics start date: When do the Tokyo 2020 Olympics begin and how long does it last?
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Updated 16/07/2021 at 15:57 GMT
The 2020 Olympics are finally here - a year later than originally planned due to the coronavirus pandemic - and there's plenty of sport to get stuck into. The opening ceremony is fast approaching but did you know there are some sports which kick-off before the that takes place? Watch every unmissable moment from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games live on Discovery+ and the Eurosport app
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Euro 2020 may have only just finished and the new Premier League season is less than a month away, but the greatest show on Earth is fast approaching so clear your diaries.
Yes, the Olympics is finally here with Tokyo set to welcome thousands of athletes to the city a year later than originally planned following the coronavirus pandemic.
While the Games will be different to others with no fans allowed to attend events, the athletes who have dedicated their lives to training for such an occasion are ready to put on a show.
Tokyo had been hoping to welcome spectators to events but on Thursday, July 15, Japan Prime Minister Yoshihde Suga announced a state of emergency would be extended.
Amid a growing rise in coronavirus cases, and to reduce the spread of the virus, the state of emergency has been extended through until August 22 having originally come into place on July 12.
As a result, Japan's Olympics Minister Tamayo Marukawa confirmed there would be no fans present, albeit a small number of events being held elsewhere from Tokyo and the surrounding area will see limited spectators.
Fear not though as Eurosport has you covered for all the live coverage and the big, breaking news stories throughout the Games.
When do the Tokyo 2020 Olympics start?
The opening ceremony will take place on Friday, July 23, starting at 20:00 local time.
Japan is eight hours ahead of British Summer Time, meaning proceedings will begin at 12:00 in the UK.
The likes of archery, equestrian, rowing and shooting get underway the same day as the opening ceremony but the majority of sports begin the day after.
However, not all sports start after the opening ceremony with the football, baseball and softball schedules starting two days earlier on Wednesday, July 21.
How long does the Tokyo 2020 Olympics last?
The Olympics run for just over two weeks with the closing ceremony taking place on Sunday, August 8 at approximately 20:00 local time (12:00 BST).
Events run all the way up until the last day of the Games with medal events all taking place in the likes of athletics, boxing, basketball, cycling, volleyball and water polo.
Providing everything goes to plan with the Olympics, there will be a brief gap before the Paralympics begin on Tuesday, August 24.
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