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Tokyo World Championships to Leave Final Decision on Going Ahead in Heat to World Athletics



On August 25 the organizing committee of the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships determined that the final decision whether to go ahead with the competition in the event of heat, typhoon or other extreme circumstances will be in the hands of World Athletics.

Given that multiple venues will be in use simultaneously throughout the World Championships, a Venue General Manager will be in place to oversee competition venues, warm-up venues, athlete hotels, and on-site decision-making. A liaison, ceremony and control team led by the organizing committee head will operate within the National Stadium to handle important issues and communicate with World Athletics and other relevant parties.

In the event of a disaster such as an earthquake or typhoon, or in case of a serious accident or other incident, the event crisis management led by the organizing committee chairperson will make the necessary decisions and lead the on-site crisis response. The crisis management plan is still in finalization but outlines the the basic approach and protocols for responding to crises during the Championships, as well as emergency response plans laying out specific procedures to follow immediately following any incident. All planning is in line with the organizing committee's fundamental policy of "the safe operation and completion of the Championships."

Regarding the nonzero possibility of a typhoon hitting Tokyo during the Championships, Secretary General Takashi Takeichi commented, "Forecasts are made with a high degree of accuracy. If a direct hit on Tokyo is imminent, measures such as planned suspensions of public transportation will be implemented. In such circumstances we will examine the situation and respond accordingly."

With regard to contingency planning for the hot conditions that have become the norm, World Athletics has stated that it will examine whether to go ahead with competition if the heat index reaches 30˚C or higher. Rather than quickly make a decision on whether to cancel or postpone a competition in advance, plans call for the consideration of the situation on the ground at the time and for an appropriate response to be made.

Information on how to beat the heat is also being prepared for spectators, with countermeasures including cooling spots being put in place around and inside the competition venues. Athletes will be provided with measures such as drinks and ice baths in order to help them focus on their competition. Other measures are also being implemented for officials and volunteers.

Translator's note: Heat index and temperature are different, but along with high humidity daily high temperatures in Tokyo have been over 30˚C every day but two in the last month and a half, with low temperatures typically in the 25˚C range.

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translated by Brett Larner

photo © 2025 Brett Larner, all rights reserved

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