Protesters marched toward the Olympic opening ceremony chanting: 'Go to hell, IOC'

• Protesters marched toward the Olympic opening ceremony chanting: "Go to hell, IOC."
• A majority of Japanese citizens disapprove of the games being held amid a state of emergency.
• Protesters could reportedly be heard inside the stadium during a moment of silence for COVID-19 victims.

Minutes before the start of the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony, a group of protesters marched toward the Japan National Stadium to make their displeasure at the games known.

These games have been highly controversial in Japan, with a majority of citizens disapproving of them going ahead amid a state of emergency in Japan. COVID-19 cases have risen over the last month amid a slower-than-expected vaccine rollout.

Spectators have been barred from the games, while life inside the village is much different than usual for athletes.

At one point, protesters marched toward the stadium, chanting: "Go to hell, IOC!"

-Michelle Ye Hee Lee (@myhlee) July 23, 2021

And when the ceremony got underway, a large crowd of protesters had gathered outside.

-Ann Killion (@annkillion) July 23, 2021

According to Ann Killion of The San Francisco Chronicle, the protesters could be heard when the opening ceremony held a moment of silence for victims of COVID-19. The Toronto Star's Bruce Arthur reported the same.

Elsewhere, however, people gathered outside the stadium to try and get a glimpse of the ceremony.

-Mayu Yoshida (@MayuYoshidaNews) July 23, 2021

It's not uncommon for the Olympics to face opposition from citizens of the home nation - the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics also saw protests - but these games have been especially unpopular.