Dec 06 (Japan Today) - Tokyo 2020 organizers said on Thursday two more Olympic events, the triathlon and equestrian cross-country, have been rescheduled to earlier start times to combat the expected sweltering summer heat.
Tokyo temperatures in July and August, when the city will host the Games, regularly exceed 30 degrees Celsius with high humidity adding to the discomfort, and preparing for this has proved a consistent headache for organizers.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already moved the marathon, one of the most prestigious events at any Olympics and one especially beloved in Japan, and race walk events 800 kilometers north to the cooler climes of Sapporo.
The decision angered Tokyo's local government as well as Games organizers, who had already been working on the events in the capital since being awarded the Games in 2013.
Organizers said the start time for the men's and women's individual triathlons had been moved up from 7.30 a.m. to 6.30 a.m., while the mixed team relay would also begin an hour earlier at 7.30 a.m.
The start time for the cross-country segment of the equestrian competition had been moved to between 7.30 a.m. and 8a.m. from 8.30 a.m., they said.
