Hot Tokyo Weather Adds Wrinkle for Organizers

(ATR) Preparations for an Olympic Games means managing a myriad of details, including aspects that cannot be controlled like Tokyo’s weather.

After two cooler summer Olympics, temperatures in Tokyo for the 2020 Games may be more in line with the traditional idea of the Northern Hemisphere summer. Tokyo’s summers are already hot and humid, but the 2020 Olympics will be taking place in the two warmest months of the year.

According to figures provided by the Tokyo Climate Center to Around the Rings, the average daily temperatures in July and August are 77 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21.4 and 25 degrees Celsius). Average high temperatures for both months jump to 85 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit (29.2 and 30.8 degrees Celsius), and the relative humidity for each month sits at 77 and 73 percent respectively.

The rainy season in Tokyo is from June to early July before picking up in September and October. That means the July 24-Aug. 9 Olympics are likely to not be disrupted by rain. Climate figures show that rain in Tokyo has varied according to historical averages in July the last five years.

Organizers have taken note and tell ATR it is not too early to work on mitigating conditions so athletes are not in danger.

A Tokyo 2020 spokesperson told ATR that ideally the Games will be held in "conditions that will allow athletes to perform at their best, spectators to enjoy the Games and staff and volunteers to do their jobs in comfort". To achieve that Tokyo organizers are soliciting help from government officials, the IOC, and sports federations.

Practical measures are already being tested and implemented into Games plans, Tokyo 2020 confirmed. That includes providing more shaded areas and cooling mists, as well as less conventional ideas.

"Last year, both the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the national government tested a new treated pavement design containing a special thermal barrier," the spokesperson said. "When compared to conventional pavement, the surface of the treated asphalt was reportedly several degrees cooler under similar conditions."

Federations Try to Beat the Heat

The International Triathlon Union is no stranger to races in heat. Its annual World Triathlon Series features numerous stops with similar climates to Tokyo during the Games, including Abu Dhabi and Cozumel.

All three disciplines for the sport take place outdoors, meaning athletes are at the mercy of the host city’s weather. ITU spokesperson Olalla Cernuda told ATR that the federation’s sporting director did a site visit last month coinciding with the Games period. During the visit, climate was a topic surely discussed.

"ITU is very confident that both the Local Organizing Committee and ITU has strong plans, covering all possible situations, in place, so that no athlete will be endangered, as it is mandatory on all ITU races," Cernuda said. "If the weather those days in Tokyo requires any actions to maintain the athletes’ health and safety, the Technical Delegate will take all the appropriate measures to ensure it."

The triathlon competition schedule has not been determined yet, as organizers are studying weather conditions to best protect athletes. The ITU uses the "wet bulb globe temperature" when determining risk. The average mean and high temperatures for Tokyo in July correspond with "high" and "extreme" risks for athletes. In Rio, racers spoke of how the heat was overwhelming at times after an 11 a.m. start.

"During summer months all events should be scheduled during the cooler hours of the days [for example early morning or late afternoon]," Cernuda said.

Like triathlon, beach volleyball is no stranger to competing in warm weather climates. Athletes compete worldwide on hot sand, preparing themselves accordingly. This year the beach volleyball world championships were held in Vienna, Austria. Not known as a tropical destination, temperatures topped out at 100 degrees Fahrenheit(38 degrees Celsius) during competition.

Lauren Fendrick and April Ross, the silver medalists from the 2017 championships told ATR that the heat did not affect how the pair competed. Both athletes prepared through proper hydration as well as sunscreen.

"If you can get heat acclimated before a tournament....if you can expose yourself to the heat in small increments where you're not overheating, your body gets used to processing it," Fendrick said.

Even if athletes are not worried, the federation has to do its due diligence. Angelo Squeo, International Volleyball Federation events director, told ATR that the Tokyo venue may have increased cover to protect spectators sitting through long sessions. FIVB will conduct a site visit "by the end of this year" where heat issues will be discussed.

"There are several measures we have launched to the local organizing committee in order to create good conditions for the spectators and hopefully they will be receptive," Squeo said. "Similar measures may be also implemented to minimize the issues of the heat towards the athletes."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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