Digital magazines from the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the World Triathlon Series
Issue link: http://worldtriathlon.uberflip.com/i/1392212
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEDIA We are expecting very high temperatures in Tokyo during the Olympic Games. It is therefore really recommendable that you take care of yourself and take this into consideration, as you will be exposed to the heat for a few hours. Here are a few recommendations if you are working during the events: • Drink a lot. Water will be available for free in the media center at your disposal • Protect yourself from the direct sun, using hats and covering most parts of the body • Use shaded areas as much as possible • If you feel dizzy, please contact the medical services in the venue. MEASURES TO COMBAT THE HEAT Due to the usual weather conditions in the Tokyo summer, new measures are being put in place designed to mitigate the effects of summer heat and humidity in the Japanese capital. Following consultation with its Medical Committee, Coaches Committee and the Tokyo Olympic Games Organising Committee (TOGOC), World Triathlon has prepared a series of important changes to the standard race set up to ensure the health and safety of all athletes. The start time of all races has been moved earlier to avoid the high temperatures. Among the most important changes will be the addition of extra water stations on the run course, air-conditioned athletes' areas both pre- and post-competition, revised heat stress protocols, with specially trained personnel added to the technical teams and trained medical personnel stationed every 500m along the 10km run course. Further rule changes designed to aid pre- race preparations will allow athletes to wear cooling vests until their official introduction and their coaches to place cold or frozen water onto bikes between the athletes' introductions and the start of the race. To help with mid-race comfort, special paint is used for the road pavement to reduce heat reflection on the Field of Play and athletes will be allowed to rest in designated cooling zones. "We are taking all the measures to make sure that everyone's health and safety is our maximum priority, and we are sure that with all these measures, we are working in the right direction reducing the exposure of athletes to the weather conditions", said World Triathlon Medical Director Sergio Migliorini. During the races, coaches will be allowed to provide nutrition in designated coaches area on the bike and run course, and littering zones have been removed so no penalties will be applied. Among other measures, additional shaded areas will be available for athletes after the races, and it has been planned quick medal ceremony and athlete's introduction to reduce the heat exposure as much as possible. World Triathlon has currently updated the Exertional heat illness prevention guidelines considering the IOC Plan for Heat Countermeasures at the Tokyo OG 2020 and its event organizers' manual regarding the contingency plans for racing that are taking place in extreme heat conditions. 8 - World Triathlon Media Guide Tokyo 2020