Olympics: Organizers of Tokyo Games admit extreme weather a «major issue
"We observed unprecedented heat and typhoons last summer, and Tokyo 2020 considers those as major issues," Tokyo 2020 director general Toshiro Muto said at the general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees taking place at a hotel in Tokyo.
Japan was hit by a record heatwave that killed 96 people in Tokyo alone in July, while other parts of the country were devastated by typhoons and floods this year.
Muto said an "adverse weather issue resolution group" has been set up with the International Olympic Committee "to respond to various adverse weather conditions, including heat, heavy rain and typhoons," and that data from last summer's weather conditions would be provided to NOCs.
In his keynote speech following Muto, IOC President Thomas Bach again heaped praise on Tokyo's preparations but admitted the heat issue and transportation posed challenges, before saying "for everything there are solutions already under way."
The fact that the games will be staged between July 24 and Aug. 9 has caused alarm among some health officials, who fear for the safety of competitors, spectators and workers.
A record high of 41.1 C was registered in Kumagaya, near Tokyo, on July 23 this year, prompting the weather agency to call the heatwave "a natural disaster."
Fiji's Robin Mitchell, who has assumed temporary leadership of ANOC, told a press conference after the closure of the general assembly he hopes to reach solutions about the heat after listening to the ideas of stakeholders, including sport federations and broadcasters, at next week's Coordination Commission meeting.
Earlier this month it was revealed that organizers hope to have the marathon events start one hour earlier at 6 a.m. to avoid the heat.
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