Updated July 20, 2021 at 1:10 PM ET
The start of the largest event in sports after a year postponement is a sign of hope for many. But critics view holding the Games during pandemic times as an unacceptable risk to the world s top athletes and the Japanese people.
For months, questions have persisted about whether these Olympics, which are deeply unpopular in Japan, will actually happen.
Now we know the answer is (almost surely) yes. We re just a few hours away from the first event.
Despite the criticism and the extreme logistical challenges of putting on the Games, thousands of athletes, journalists and officials have streamed into Japan.
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