A group of Japanese doctors yesterday urged Olympic organisers to start the Tokyo 2020 marathon
as early as 5:30 am, saying failure to do so could “lead to deaths” from heatstroke.
The warning is the latest in a chorus of concern about how extreme heat could affect several sporting
events at the Olympic games, particularly after Tokyo sweltered through a record heatwave this year.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo 2020 organisers have acknowledged the
concerns and already moved the marathon start time up 30 minutes to 7:00 am, with competitive
walking starting even earlier.
But the Japan Medical Association and the Tokyo Medical Association said that was insufficient
because most of the course would still be run in heat levels that were dangerous, and under which
physical activity should be halted.
“We are seriously concerned about it,” Kimiyuki Nagashima, a senior official with the Japan Medical
Association told reporters Wednesday.
The associations are calling for the start time to be moved to 5:30 am, and the presidents of both
groups met earlier this week with the head of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee to press the
issue.
“We wouldn’t have visited the organising committee if we’d thought it was only slightly worrying...
we fear the current plan could lead to deaths,” Haruo Ozaki, president of the Tokyo Medical
Association said.
Heat stroke kills hundreds of people each year across Japan, and this year record temperatures
caused
a spike in fatalities and hospital visits.
Masa Takaya, a spokesman for the 2020 organisers, said the doctors had presented “a serious opinion
based on expert knowledge.”
“We’ll share it with working groups of the IOC and IPC (International Paralympic Committee)” that
are discussing issues of heat.
The IOC has backed calls for Japan to adopt daylight savings during the Games to ease the heat
situation, but there is little support among Japanese lawmakers or the public for the proposal, which
is viewed as too disruptive.
When Japan last hosted the Olympics, in 1964, the Games were held in October to avoid the
country’s stifling summer humidity and heat.
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