Tokyo Olympics 2020: Organisers look to move marathon and race walking events 800km south to Sapporo

The decision comes in the wake of 57 people dying in Japan in July as a result of soaring temperatures

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced plans to move the Tokyo 2020 marathon and race walking events to Sapporo, 800 kilometres south of Japan’s capital city.

The move comes in an attempt to avoid a repeat of what occurred at the recent World Athletics Championships in Doha, where almost half the field failed to complete the women’s marathon due to the sweltering heat and humidity.

Sapporo, which hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, can be five to six degrees cooler than Tokyo on average during late July to early August, when the Games are scheduled to take place.

“Athletes’ health and wellbeing are always at the heart of our concerns,” said IOC president Thomas Bach.

“The new, far-reaching proposals to move the marathon and race walking events show how seriously we take such concerns.

“The Olympic Games are the platform where athletes can give ‘once in a lifetime’ performances, and these measures ensure they have the conditions to give their best.”

Concerns around next summer’s Games peaked in July, when at least 57 people died in Japan as a result of the soaring temperatures.

The reported deaths all came between 29th July and 4th August, with next year’s Olympics set to be hosted between 24th July and 9th August.