The song was originally released 50 years ago as Tsubasa wo Kudasa and recorded by folk group Akaitori. 

It was recorded by Boyle as part of her debut album and has become very popular in Japan.

Her recording was chosen by organisers of the ceremony who said the song was "known by all generations, and is especially popular among sporting fans, for whom it has become a widely performed supporters’ song."

Boyle herself was described as a "world-famous Scottish singer."

She reacted to the news on social media.

Boyle said on Twitter: "It was a true honour to be asked by the Tokyo Olympics to use my song "Wings To Fly" during the dove release at the Opening Ceremony. 

"Good luck to all of the athletes competing and especially to Team GB."

The Scotsman newspaper reported: "Scottish viewers of the opening ceremony at the Tokyo Olympic Games were astonished to hear Susan Boyle.” the paper said

On Twitter, one viewer said: "I never thought I’d see the day when Susan Boyle and Sonic the Hedgehog were on the same bill. #Tokyo2020"

In 2014, Boyle sang Mull of Kintyre at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Boyle had previously sung at her local church, before her achieving her big breakthrough when she entered the television talent show Britain’s Got Talent (BGT).

Her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables prompted music mogul and BGT judge Simon Cowell to sign her up for his record label Syco.

Her recording of the song reached number six n Billboard’s Japan Albums charts in December 2010, making it the highest-ranked album by a non-Japanese artist that week.

Boyle’s album sold over 106,000 copies in a little over a month, making it the top-selling album in Japan.