The Games, postponed last year because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, open on Friday but will be without spectators after Japan's decision earlier this month to leave venues empty to minimize the risk of infections.

Two members of Mexico's Olympic baseball team tested positive for COVID-19 at the team hotel before their departure for the Tokyo Olympics, the country's baseball federation said.

The athletes, Hector Velazquez and Sammy Solis, who tested positive on July 18, have been isolated, as have all team members pending results of more tests, it said.

Bach, speaking after a moment of silence at an IOC session where he was joined by Japan's prime minister, said organizers could never have imagined the "unprecedented challenges" to brining the global sports event to Tokyo.

"We could only overcome all these challenges for the Olympic Games because throughout the past eight years we were enjoying a trustful partnership [with Japan]. We could always rely on you," he said.

Comments by Bach and other IOC officials have in the runup to the Games sparked outrage on social media in Japan for appearing to dismiss concerns about the pandemic.

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