A moment of remembrance was held around 20 minutes into Friday’s opening ceremony, as Olympic organizers encouraged people to take a private moment to remember loved ones they’ve lost.
The sparse crowd of attendees in the stadium stood for the observance.
Similar moments have been held at previous Olympics — but this year’s is particularly poignant, as the world mourns millions of people who have died during the pandemic.
The moment of silence also recognized the 1972 deaths of Israeli Olympic athletes who were killed by terrorists at the Munich Games. It’s the first time the Olympics has noted that massacre during an opening ceremony.
That portion of the ceremony also brought a meditative piece of music — “Silence In The Forest” by Marihiko Hara.
