IOC backs daylight savings to ease Tokyo 2020 heat fears

The International Olympic Committee on Wednesday backed calls by Japanese organisers to implement daylight savings time at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as concerns mount over athlete safety in soaring temperatures.

The IOC coordination commission chief John Coates gave an unequivocal answer when asked if he supported an appeal made to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last month following a deadly summer heatwave across the country.

"Yes -- we've observed the discussions that are happening in this country," Coates told a news conference.

"We've paid a lot of attention to heat, primarily on athletes but also on spectators," he added after pleas to stage the events, particularly the marathon, in cooler hours.

"We know the marathon and those events are already starting early in the morning. But we certainly see the potential -- with the sun coming up at 4.40am -- for daylight savings."
- Deadly weather -
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"But you don't have to dream anything up in this country, it's very sad to say. But a lot of attention is being given to the weather and this is being factored into the planning. It's certainly at the front of my mind."