Regarding, "Tokyo cool on changing clocks for Olympics in the Aug. 1 edition, as Tokyo swelters in a heat wave two years before the start of the Olympics, the organizers have found the solution to any health issues that may affect the marathon runners: They will move the start from 7:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.!

Are they not aware that many long-distance events, particularly in harsh climates, start during the hours of darkness? But Japan's absurd reluctance to adopt daylight savings time means that they wouldn't even have to do that. It will be light before 5 a.m. in early August, so the leading runners could be finishing by 7 a.m.

Shouldn't we be giving more serious consideration to athletes' and spectators' comfort and well-being?

CHRISTOPHER LEWIS

MINATO WARD, TOKYO

The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.