Japan continues to face concerns about torrid weather at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics next summer, with officials cutting short a test event and looking for new ways to beat the heat.On Thursday, the International Triathlon Union had to abbreviate the running portion of a women’s test event in the capital city as conditions reached an “extreme level.”“There was full consensus on all parties for the decision of the ITU medical delegate and the ITU technical delegates to shorten the run distance to 5 km, considering the athletes’ health,” the federation said in a statement.Officials cited the 90-degree temperature which — along with high humidity — is common for Tokyo at this time of year. The Japan Times reported that 23 people died and more than 12,000 were hospitalized for heat-related conditions in Japan during the week that ended Aug. 5.Takeo Hirata, a Waseda University professor enlisted to help in Olympic preparations, wrote in the … [Read more...] about 2020 Tokyo Olympics searching for answers amid heat wave
Olympics
U.S. men’s volleyball team qualifies for Tokyo Olympics
The U.S. men’s volleyball team is going to a 10th straight Olympics, beating the host Netherlands 25-18, 25-20, 17-25, 25-21 on Sunday to win its qualification tournament. The Americans, led by coach John Speraw, are an Olympic medal contender. They took bronze at the Rio Games and the lone world championship tournament in this Olympic cycle in 2018, moving to No. 2 in the world rankings behind Brazil. The Tokyo roster will be the first without ties to the 2008 Olympic champion team that was guided by Hugh McCutcheon. The last links — Reid Priddy and David Lee — moved to beach volleyball after Rio. The most experienced player on the current roster is opposite Matt Anderson, a two-time Olympian and five-time U.S. Player of the Year. Micah Christenson was named best setter of the 2018 World Championship. Outside hitter Aaron Russell starred against the Dutch on Sunday. At worlds, the U.S. blew a two sets-to-one semifinal lead over … [Read more...] about U.S. men’s volleyball team qualifies for Tokyo Olympics
U.S. women’s volleyball team qualifies for Tokyo Olympics
The U.S. women’s volleyball team, on the brink of being forced to a last-chance Olympic qualifying tournament fewer than 24 hours ago, breezed into the Tokyo 2020 field by completing its sweep through an intercontinental qualifying tournament Sunday. The Americans, ranked third in the world, beat No. 11 Argentina to close out the event in Bossier City, La., where the top nation from a group of four qualified for the Olympics. The U.S., the only top-10 team in this field, was in real danger of not winning the group on Saturday. It trailed 16th-ranked Bulgaria two sets to one before rallying to win the last two sets. Now the U.S. will compete in its 10th straight Olympics since the 1980 Moscow Games boycott. A new potential star emerged against Bulgaria — opposite Jordan Thompson, a rising University of Cincinnati senior who came off the bench and started the last four sets, totaling 18 kills. The U.S. women, coached by Olympic indoor and beach champ Karch Kiraly, are … [Read more...] about U.S. women’s volleyball team qualifies for Tokyo Olympics
Tokyo 2020 medals unvieled one year before Olympic Games
The medals for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were revealed on Wednesday with exactly one year to go until next year's Games. The unveiling of the medals, designed by Junichi Kawanishi, was the main attraction of an extravagant ceremony in the Japanese capital to commemorate the landmark. The event was attended by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The medals, which are 85 millimetre in diameter, feature Greek goddess of victory Nike in their design along with the Olympic symbol and are made from recycled metals, collected from 6.21 million electronic devices donated across Japan. Abe said he hoped next year's Games would have a similar impact as the 1964 Summer Games held in Tokyo. "Sports brings the world together and it affords equal opportunities to all. That is what sports are about," said Abe. "Fifty five years ago we learned that when we hosted it in Tokyo before. "Next year we want to demonstrate that again and … [Read more...] about Tokyo 2020 medals unvieled one year before Olympic Games
Introducing the Telegraph Tokyo Eight
Over the next year, The Telegraph will track the progress of our Tokyo Eight – athletes with a vast range of backgrounds and ages, but united by the dream of glory in Japan. Here, they reveal what inspired them on their sporting journey. FRAZER CLARKE Boxing Age 27 The Olympics have been amazing for British boxing – success has been institutionalised by winning medals. Since 2008 the programme has gone from strength to strength and I’ve seen some unbelievable fighters come through those doors – Nicola Adams, Anthony Joshua, Luke Campbell, Anthony Ogogo, people like that. And there are a lot of great fighters who didn’t even medal. To go to Tokyo with the squad we’ve got is exciting. I’ve been with three different squads and I’d say this one is the best. Going to the Games is big in terms of responsibility. If we don’t do well, the next group won’t get the funding. I thank Joshua Buatsi, Joe Joyce and Nicola Adams, … [Read more...] about Introducing the Telegraph Tokyo Eight