This archive report was first published on 4 October 2019.
As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics approach, organisers are taking proactive measures to mitigate the impact of the sweltering summer heat. According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Tokyo sent out questionnaires to international sports federations in October 2019, seeking advice on how to counter the heat.
The move was not prompted by the devastating physical effects of the heat during the ongoing world athletics championships in Doha, the IOC insisted. In fact, the Tokyo Olympics organisers had already sent out the questionnaire before the Doha championships, IOC president Thomas Bach explained.
"This questionnaire was already sent before Doha. The Tokyo organisers are determined to benefit from the experience of the federations," Bach said.
The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 9, 2020, with summer temperatures in the Japanese capital often soaring to 35 degrees (95F). To combat the heat, Tokyo has already revealed "sophisticated" measures, including testing a system to drop artificial snow onto fans in early September.
"I have never seen a city so well prepared one year out from the Olympics," Bach said, praising Tokyo's preparations.
Meanwhile, the women's marathon at the Doha championships last weekend saw 28 of the 68-strong field fall by the wayside due to the sauna-like conditions, despite the race starting at around midnight local time.
