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EFE News Agency / Alamy Stock Photo
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Tokyo Olympics 2020 in pictures

After a much belated start, Tokyo has concluded hosting the Olympic Games for the first time since 1964 amid a state emergency.

It was the first Olympics Games to take place with no spectators. But there were many more positive firsts over the historic event. Philippines and Bermuda got their first Olympic gold medals ever. And there were four sports that featured for the first time – skateboarding, surfing, climbing and karate.

World records were broken in rowing, track, cycling and swimming. And much talk has been about the new track in Tokyo which is said to have given about 1-2% boost in performance.

So let’s look back at the main stories over the Tokyo Olympics. If you want to see the best images from each day, you can check out our Tokyo Olympics highlights here. Otherwise, you can explore condensed highlights here.

Explore the best highlights from the Tokyo Olympics.

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Aflo Co. Ltd. / Alamy Stock Photo

There was much uncertainty surrounding the Games in the build-up. But once the opening ceremony concluded, everything kicked off with aplomb.

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Sipa US / Alamy Stock Photo

Skateboarding was one of several new sports to debut at the Olympics. And Sky Brown became the youngest British medal winner when she secured bronze in park skateboarding.

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ITAR-TASS News Agency / Alamy Stock Photo

The USA's Lilly King, Annie Lazor and South Africa's Kaylene Corbett (L-R) congratulated Tatjana Schoenmaker (centre) as she won the women's 200m breaststroke final.

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Xinhua / Alamy Stock Photo

Erwann le Pechoux (R) of France tussled against Timur Safin of the ROC during the fencing men's foil team.

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Xinhua / Alamy Stock Photo

Athletes posed for a photo above the Olympic rings after the women's heptathlon.

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PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

USA's Simone Biles in the women's beam final at Ariake Gymnastic Centre.

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PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herah celebrated winning the women's 100 metres final in a new Olympic Record time at Olympic Stadium.

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PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Tom Daley of Great Britain during the men's 10m platform final at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

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Xinhua / Alamy Stock Photo

Athletes competed during the women's 100m hurdles semi-final at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

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Aflo Co. Ltd. / Alamy Stock Photo

Fireworks blasted off around the roof of the National Stadium as part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games closing ceremony.

Matt Yau

Matt started off as a live music photographer covering up-and-coming bands in Brighton, and since then has become enamoured by the power of pictures. With a penchant for storytelling, he's on a mission to uncover unique images from the Alamy library and tell the story behind them.

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