Overview

• Start times for the 35km race walks and the women’s and men’s marathons on the first three days have been brought forward by 30 minutes to 7:30 a.m. local time.
• Officials detailed heat-mitigation steps including 185 water stations on the marathon course, radiative-cooling tents around venues, wearable core-temperature monitors for staff and volunteers, and in-stand medical patrols.
• Forecasts call for highs of 31–34°C with humidity near 75%, and Japan’s weather agency reports the hottest summer on record with average temperatures 2.36°C above normal.
• Road events will remain in Tokyo despite the 2021 Olympic precedent of relocating to Sapporo to avoid heat, while in-stadium session times are unchanged for the opening days.
• World Athletics president Sebastian Coe acknowledged “heat challenges” and said sport may need to revisit its calendar to protect athletes, with CEO Jon Ridgeon noting earlier road-race starts are likely to become more common.