Federation, Academic, Public and Private Sectors Align to Provide Japan's Olympians With Cutting-Edge Tech to Fight Paris Heat
The Paris Olympics, a celebration of top athletes who've refined their skills and bodies to the limit, kick off in a few hours. Technology to help enhance their already incredible performances continues to evolve, bringing changes to the frontlines of athlete development. The Olympic triathlon is a hybrid sport consisting of a 1.5 km win, 40 km bike ride and 10 km run that takes around 2 hours total to finish. Winning it takes not only top physical condition but also technique and mental preparation. In May an international triathlon was held in Yokohama. Kenji Nener (31, NTT) finished 7th, the best-ever placing by a Japanese male. "I'm getting close to my ideal range of physical motion," he said afterward, sounding enthusiastic about his chances at the Olympics. Temperature has a major impact on long-distance triathlons, so acclimatization is critical. Paris in July can be over 30˚, and in a heatwave even hotter. Core body temperature is a key element in keeping it ...