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To ensure the safety of participants, World Athletics has a heat rule which can be applied when temperatures get too high.<\/p>\n
The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) scale is used to determine whether the heat rule should be enforced.<\/p>\n
The WBGT measures heat stress in direct sunlight, which involves observing temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover.<\/p>\n
For athletics events, a warning is issued when temperatures reach 25C, and severe warnings are issued when temperatures reach 28C.<\/p>\n
Competing at temperatures of 30C and above are classed as dangerous.<\/p>\n
To reduce the risk of heat illnesses, athletics competitions are often scheduled during cooler mornings or evenings.<\/p>\n
Health advice suggests distance races should take place below 18C.<\/p>\n
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said there will be “heat challenges” at the championships in Tokyo.<\/p>\n
He added the battle against climate change had fallen on sports leaders after inaction from governments.<\/p>\n
“Governments have not stepped up to the plate and sport is going to have to take some unilateral judgments and decisions here,” said Coe.<\/p>\n
“And we have reflected in the past, if we are committed to athlete welfare, then we should probably be openly committed to that.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n