Record-high temperatures and debilitating humidity have prompted World Athletics Championships organizers to move up the start times for the race walk and marathon events this weekend by 30 minutes to 7:30 a.m. in a bid to beat the Tokyo heat.
Like many countries, Japan has been hit by extreme weather this year, with temperatures in Tokyo averaging 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit) so far this month, on its way to setting a record high for September.
Last month, more than 3,300 people were taken to hospital for heat stroke in the Japanese capital, according to the metropolitan fire department.
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