Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka lit the Olympic cauldron as the final carrier of the torch at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games on Friday night.
"Undoubtedly the greatest athletic achievement and honor I will ever have in my life. I have no words to describe the feelings I have right now, but I do know I am currently filled with gratefulness and thankfulness," she tweeted after the closing of the ceremony.
Takayuki Hioki, executive producer of the Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, said at a press conference that he picked Osaka because of her achievements as well as her great appeal.
"I thought she was the most appropriate final runner, as she has been giving out valuable messages," he said.
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