The heat in Tokyo is becoming unbearable
And it's only going to get worse, explains John Kryk, citing Weather.com forecasts.
Now we know why Japan's national flag is nothing but a red, searing sun.
It's been so danged hot during the Tokyo Olympics, you'd be forgiven for thinking the water jumps in Wednesday's women's 3,000-metre steeplechase final were merely places where the stifling humidity pooled.
And there's no relief in sight. Brutal heat and thick humidity will continue until Sunday's closing ceremonies.
Officially, the thermometer topped out at 33C on Wednesday. It was still 28C with 77 per cent relative humidity at 8 p.m. local time — for a 33C heat index — as the opening day of the men's decathlon and numerous track finals were held, capped by Canadian Andre De Grasse's glorious gold in the men's 200-metre sprint.
Those conditions actually were mild compared to what's coming, per Weather.com.
Thursday’s forecast: A high of 35C, negligible winds, 41C heat index.
Friday: A high of 34C, light winds and a 39C heat index.
Saturday: A high of 30C, 70 to 80 per cent chance of rain or thunderstorms and 80 to 90 per cent humidity — for a 38 to 41C heat index.
Sunday: A high of 31C, strong winds and a 60 per cent chance of rain or thunderstorms — with a 40C heat index.
In men's tennis last week, Russia's Daniil Medvedev complained that players could die during competition. Novak Djokovic said he'd “never faced” such “really brutal” conditions in his 20-year pro career. One men's player actually departed the scorching artificial surface in a wheelchair. Consequently, match start times were moved to later in the day, “in the interests of player health and welfare.”
The Canadian Olympic Committee on Wednesday echoed Canada Soccer's official request with Games organizers to change the scheduled 11 a.m. local start time of Friday's women's soccer gold-medal match between the upstart Canadians and Sweden, whose leadership had first made the plea.
“It's in the best interest of the athletes,” COC chief sport officer Eric Myles said in a statement.
Olympic and soccer leaders ought to move the game to a more tolerant time, or permit unlimited, return substitutions. Or have water breaks every 10 minutes. Anything but scheduled mid-day cruelty.
Canadian Damian Warner, who leads the decathlon after the first day's five events, said the icepacked cooling vests he and many outdoor athletes have been wearing have been “a lifesaver.”