Olympic events could move to avoid typhoons

Olympic and Paralympic organisers could bring forward competitions ahead of their opening ceremonies if more freak weather is forecast in Tokyo next year.

The official rules of both Games prevent any delays in the scheduled closing ceremonies so administrators will instead be reliant on longterm forecasts to avoid any repeat of the storm chaos at the Rugby World Cup. A typhoon is unlikely to hit the Olympics at the end of July and start of August, but the Paralympics, between Aug 25 and Sept 6, fall in the middle of storm season.

The International Paralympic Committee has told The Daily Telegraph it has powers to bring forward non-medal events, such as heats or group stage matches, in the event of unforeseen extreme weather. A bylaw to rule 32 in the International Olympic Committee guide also bans any moves by organisers to delay closing ceremonies. “The duration of the competitions of the Olympic Games shall not exceed 16 days unless approved by the relevant IF [international federation] and the IOC Executive Board, in which case some competitions and preliminaries may be organised prior to the Opening Ceremony,” the rule says.

Tens of thousands of troops and rescue workers have been sent to save stranded residents and fight floods caused by Typhoon Hagibis, which has brought record levels of rain and left some 425,000 homes without power. Japan’s strongest storm in six decades has left more than 30 people dead and nearly 20 missing. However, the rugby has not been as badly hit as feared, with Japan’s victory over Scotland going ahead on Sunday after organisers called off two Saturday matches.