IOC May Change Times for Athletics, Other Events in Tokyo Games

Tokyo, Dec. 1 (Jiji Press)--The International Olympic Committee is considering changing times for athletic and cycling events, and rugby in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics to avoid expected powerful heatwave, IOC President Thomas Bach said Saturday. Heatwave will affect not only athletes but also referees and spectators, Bach told a press conference after an IOC executive board meeting in Tokyo, stressing the need for discussions with international sports organizations on the matter. He failed to mention when the possible changes will be decided. One idea calls for moving up the starting time for marathon to 5:30 a.m. or 6 a.m. from the currently planned 7 a.m. At the meeting, a working group reported to the executive board proposals to change times for carrying out marathon, race walking, the 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs, rugby sevens, and mountain bike and bicycle motocross races. It was proposed that the rugby matches should not be held around noon. Bach also said that he hopes to visit Hiroshima when the 2020 Olympic torch relay arrives in the western Japan prefecture. END