Photo: David MAREUIL/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

As theTokyo Summer Olympicsofficially kicked off on Friday, a group of protesters gathered outside of theOlympic Stadiumin Japan.
The protesters were able to be heard off and on throughout the ceremony, especially during quieter moments within the setting. “Go to hell, IOC,” some chanters could be heard exclaiming while others proclaimed, “Go to hell, Olympics” and “Olympics leave Japan.”
Valery SharifulinTASS via Getty Images

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
David MAREUIL/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Other protesters were seencarrying a bannerthat could “be roughly translated as, ‘Stop the five rings,'” according toNew York Timessports journalist Jonathan Ellis.
Shuji Kajiyama/AP/Shutterstock

The international event, which was originally meant to take place in the summer of 2020 but was rescheduled due to the pandemic, has various safety protocols in place, including a ban on all spectators.
To learn more about Team USA, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Tokyo Olympics beginning July 23rd and the Tokyo Paralympics beginning August 24th on NBC.
source: people.com