"This Heat Is the First in 20 Years"... Scorching Olympics

On the 5th, Ko Jin-young, who participated in the second round of the women's golf at the Tokyo Olympics, is seen moving with an ice pack on her head.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] With the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics just two days away, the Japanese archipelago is experiencing the worst heatwave in history. Amid the deadly heat, athletes are complaining of poor physical condition.

On the 4th, the first round of the women's golf was held under a scorching heat with daytime temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius and a heat index over 40 degrees. After finishing the round, Inbee Park said, "This kind of heat is the first in 20 years," expressing her astonishment. Hyo-joo Kim reported that she suffered burns on her legs from wearing shorts and developed skin allergies. On the same day, Lexi Thompson’s (USA) caddie showed symptoms of heatstroke and was replaced midway.

On the 26th of last month, during the men's individual triathlon, some athletes collapsed or vomited after crossing the finish line due to the intense heat. On the 23rd of last month, during the women's archery ranking round, Svetlana Gomboeva (Russia) lost consciousness and collapsed from the heat.

Especially since outdoor athletics events such as race walking and marathon, which are greatly affected by weather, are still scheduled, the heatwave on the archipelago poses an even bigger problem. Although the athletics events were relocated to avoid Tokyo’s heatwave, even Sapporo in Hokkaido, where the events are held, is experiencing the worst heatwave in 21 years. The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasted daytime temperatures in Sapporo to reach 33 to 34 degrees Celsius between the 5th and 8th. During the men's 20km race walk held at Odori Park in Sapporo on the 5th, several athletes vomited.

The marathon, which will mark the finale of the Olympics, will start at 7 a.m. on the 7th and 8th to avoid the midday heat. However, since the heat is expected to remain between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius, there are concerns about the health of the athletes who will have to run for about two hours.

In response, the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee is rushing to prepare measures to protect the athletes’ health. The committee will install 14 hydration tables along the marathon course, with ice packs prepared at 9 of these stations.