Tokyo Games' Ceremony Schedules Modified
The organizers of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have changed the schedules for the main ceremonies due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On Friday, the organizing committee said the opening ceremony for the Olympics on July 23 will run from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. instead 11:00 p.m.
They say the extension is necessary to allow for social distancing between athletes during the entrance parade.
The closing ceremony on August 8 has been simplified and shortened by 30 minutes. It will now run from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. because fewer athletes are expected to attend in light of limits on their period of stay at the athletes' village.
The Paralympics opening ceremony will be held without change from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The closing ceremony has been shortened by 30 minutes to 10:30 p.m., also because fewer athletes are expected to attend.