Tokyo 2020 organisers say two more Olympic events, the triathlon and equestrian cross-country, have been rescheduled to earlier start times to combat the expected sweltering summer heat.
Tokyo temperatures in July and August, when the city will host the Games, regularly exceed 30 degrees Celsius, with high humidity adding to the discomfort, and preparing for this has proved a consistent headache for organisers.
Several events have been moved due to heat concerns ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Games.Credit:Getty Images
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already moved the marathon, one of the most prestigious events at any Olympics and one especially beloved in Japan, and race walk events 800 kilometres north to the cooler climes of Sapporo.
The decision angered Tokyo's local government as well as Games organisers, who had already been working on the events in the capital since being awarded the Games in 2013.
Organisers said the start time for the men's and women's individual triathlons had been moved up from 7.30am to 6.30am, while the mixed team relay would also begin an hour earlier at 7.30am.
The start time for the cross-country segment of the equestrian competition had been moved to between 7.30am and 8am from 8.30am, they said.
The changes were made following discussions between 2020 organisers and the IOC, who are currently hosting their executive board meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
At the Tokyo 2020 triathlon test event in August, the sport's governing body was forced to reduce the distance of the run segment in the women's event because of heat concerns.
In another setback for organisers, high levels of E.coli bacteria forced Tokyo officials to cancel the swimming segment of the Paratriathlon World Cup, a test event for next year's Paralympics.
Reuters
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