for more, i spoke with "new york times" tokyo bureau chief, motoko rich. motoko, this has been an opening ceremony unlike any other. there weren't any people in the stands. that was the first thing that most americans noticed when they turned on their tvs last night. and, there aren't going to be any in most of the events, unless they' outdoors. >> correct. the athletes' procession, which is kind of the centerpiece of every olympic opening ceremonies, you've got all these athletes coming into the-- into the stadium, and they're basically doing it for television, because they're waving at empty stands. and so, that was kind of weird to see that. and a little bit sad as well, just to know that these athletes had worked so hard to get there, and that they didn't have the people that they would normally have, kind of going wild for them as they came in. the athletes are not even allowed in the olympic village until five days before their competitions start. they weren't marching in the parade. >> sreenivasan: how concerned are they? not necessarily maybe to ge

. >> reporter: "new york times" tokyo bureau chief motoko rich covered the scandal. >> the organizers are hoping to win medals so we can draw attention away from the scandals. >> reporter: two other top japanese olympic officials had been forced out in separate controversies. however organizers of the opening ceremony says it will not impact the show and they will be straightforward about the pandemic, no cardboard cutouts or fake cheering. norah. >> o'donnell: jamie yuccas, thank you.u. much more ahead on tonight's "cbs evening news." the investigation after a 14- year-old girl drowns at a water park. and a covid outbreak among firefighters battling the largest fire in the country. largest fire in the country. it's not getting in my way. joint pain, swelling, tenderness... much better. my psoriasis, clearer... cosentyx® works on all of this. four years and counting. so watch out. i got this! watch me. real people with active psoriatic arthritis look and feel better with cosentyx. cosentyx works fast for results that can last. it treats the multiple symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, li

let's speak now to motoko rich, tokyo bureau chief for the new york times. so far? well, i think it has been mixed. of— like so far? well, i think it has been mixed. of course, - like so far? well, i think it has been mixed. of course, some| like so far? well, i think it has - been mixed. of course, some people thought it was great and that they finally pulled it off, and there was a bit of relief that the games were finally officially open. on the other hand, there are questions about why the games were going ahead at a time when we are in the midst of a state of emergency. there is a lot of cognitive dissonance as well. people think that there is a little bit unfair that spectators were barred from the event. it was eerie being inside the olympic stadium. it is built for 68,000 people, and there are less than a thousand dignitaries and invited guests allowed, and a lot of people who had come to see the rings were gathered around the stadium. i think they were saying, "well, why can't we be let in, if we are being taken precautions and wearing masks and soc