Soon, the World Championship in athletics will begin in Tokyo, Japan. The championship comes after yet another record-warm summer in the country.
The average temperature in Japan was 2.36 degrees warmer than usual between June and August – the warmest summer since the measurements began in 1898, according to Japan's meteorological agency (JMA). It is the third consecutive summer with record-high temperatures.
I do not think it is a big secret that we have challenges with the heat in Tokyo, says the president of the international athletics association (World Athletics), Sebastian Coe.
Already during the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, the heat was a problem. Competitions in marathon and walking had to be moved to Sapporo, a cooler city in the north, due to the heat.
On Tuesday, the temperature reached 33 degrees in Tokyo, on Saturday the World Championship begins.
It is not temporary, they are here to stay, says Coe about the high temperatures and continues:
Governments have not stepped up and sports will need to make some unilateral assessments and decisions.
Coe believes, however, that World Athletics is the leading association when it comes to protecting athletes from the consequences of global warming.
I am very proud to be able to say with full right that we have the most capable and prominent health and science team in any international sport.
The World Championship in athletics in Tokyo takes place from 13 to 21 September.
