2020 Tokyo Olympic Games… Not in Tokyo?

The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan will be here in less than one year. Previously, I published an article discussing the progress of the city of Tokyo in preparing for this international event. Here is an update: due to the demand by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the marathon and racewalking events will be moved to Sapporo, a city in northern Japan approximately 800 kilometers away from the capital.

A major concern that for Tokyo raised by the Olympic Games was the heat during summer seasons. In recent years, Japan has experienced intense heatwaves and high humidity levels, calling into question the safety and health of runners in marathon and racewalking events.

The dangerous effects of heat on athletes has always been an issue for any track-and-field events in international competitions. In the recent World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, races were hosted at midnight in attempts to reduce the stress of heat and humidity on runners. However, despite this abnormal scheduling, many competitors still collapsed or retired during races. The percentage of runners unable to finish the women’s marathon reached a concerning 40%.

To tackle this issue, the Japanese government has spent the citizens’ taxes to install mist machines and to coat roads planned for races in Tokyo with special paint that allegedly helps decrease the temperature of the surrounding area. However, a study reported on August 30 by the Japanese Journal of Sports and Health Sciences suggested that while the heat-reducing paints do indeed decrease temperatures on the surface of roads, it actually increases temperatures of the air above the ground.

After spending a significant amount of time and money in attempts to combat the issue of heat, it is no wonder that the governer of Tokyo Yuriko Koike is opposing the demand by the IOC to transfer marathon and racewalking events to Sapporo city. Koike has expressed frustration towards the IOC’s sudden one-sided decision which had no discussion, but has reluctantly agreed with the move this week. However, issues of costs and venues still remain. Citizens of Tokyo are also unhappy, claiming that it is unjust that their taxes were spent on painting roads for races that will not even happen anymore.

The IOC has always held an ‘athletes first’ approach, which is undoubtedly visible in their demand to prioritize the safety of runners and racewalkers for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Even with the transfer of the track-and-field events to Sapporo, the games are still expected to bring thousands of people to cheer for their favorite athletes.

For a live countdown to the 2020 Olympic Games, please visit their official site. For more information, please visit the New York Times, IT Media, and The Guardian.