Concerns are growing about the risk of heatstroke or heat exhaustion at the 2020 Olympic marathon, due to the sweltering and humid weather expected in Tokyo.
Experts are calling on organizers to change the route, or set up rest stations, as the Tokyo Olympic event is likely to be extremely tough for runners and spectators compared with previous games.
Akio Hoshi, a professor of health science at Toin University in Yokohama, said the risk of summer heatstroke in Tokyo has escalated in recent years, noting that the Olympics are expected to take place during conditions when sports activities should normally be halted.