Tokyo

Indian Archer and the world number one Deepika Kumari had managed to enter the next round of competition at the Tokyo Olympics in the qualifying round. He earned 9th Rank and will have to compete in the elimination rounds starting on 27th July against Bhutan's Karma.

The game will begin at 4:30 pm (IST) in Tokyo with just about 950 people, including officials and reporters, watching the opening ceremony in the main stadium.

The games were delayed and will happen amidst a grim scenario of Covid-19 spreading in the host country.

Hidemasa Nakamura, chief of Tokyo 2020 main operation centre told a press briefing that apart from the above-mentioned group, the rest allowed into the stadium are performers and athletes participating in the event.

The Tokyo 2020 organising committee also reported 12 new positive Covid-19 cases related to the Olympics on Thursday, with two infected foreign athletes in the athlete's village.

A total of 87 people associated with the Olympics have so far tested positive for the virus in Tokyo since the local organising committee started to record the figures on July 1.

In terms of new cases of Covid-19 infections, Nakamura noted it would be "extremely difficult" to get rid of the virus completely, but adding that they are capable of identifying new cases quickly and containing the spread of the virus.

"We hope to provide a safe environment for all, and of course, we need everyone's help," he said.

Fans will be banned from the opening ceremony due to concerns about Covid-19.