TOKYO
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has acknowledged that athletes competing in the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo will face heat challenges, as Japan grapples with record-breaking summer temperatures. The championships, beginning this Saturday, arrive amid concerns over global warming and its growing impact on sporting events worldwide.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the country experienced its hottest summer since records began in 1898, with average temperatures from June to August soaring 2.36°C above the norm. This was the third consecutive year of record-setting heat, with temperatures still reaching 33°C in Tokyo earlier this week.
We do have some heat challenges in Tokyo. We had them actually at the time of the Games in 2021, Coe told reporters, recalling the pandemic-delayed Olympics when marathon and race walk events were relocated to Sapporo due to heat concerns. However, both endurance events are scheduled to remain in Tokyo for this edition of the World Championships.
Following a World Athletics Council meeting, Coe emphasized that climate change was no longer a temporary issue but a persistent threat. Governments have not stepped up to the plate, and sport will have to take unilateral decisions if we are to remain committed to athlete welfare, he said.
Despite the concerns, Coe expressed confidence in the federation’s preparedness, highlighting the expertise of its health and science team. We are better equipped than any international sport to face these challenges, he asserted. The Tokyo championships are expected to draw global attention, both for athletic performances and for how organizers manage extreme weather conditions.
