Tokyo eyes starting Olympic marathon at 3 a.m. to counter IOC plan to move race to Hokkaido

If being obstinate no matter what would be an Olympic sport, Japan would take away Gold easily.

If being obstinate no matter what would be an Olympic sport, Japan would take away Gold easily.

Too right.

This idea is ridiculous given it's still hot at 3:00 a.m. Granted, it isn't as hot as when the sun is out, but hot nonetheless.

If I were the IOC, how could I trust anything the JOC or the Tokyo Olympic Committee says at this point?

Costs? The budget's been blown out of the water.

Footprint? Blown out of the water.

Time after time after time, the JOC has been shown to be blatant liars about just about everything involved with this Olympics.

Even the so-called 'test events' have been a sham. Holding a test event marathon a month after the target time to supposedly show how the actual marathon will operate? What a ridiculous farce.

So the IOC, which I will admit is just only slightly less corrupt than the Japanese government, has decided after the Debacle in Doha that running the risk of 1/3 of the field dropping out and athletes possibly dying just isn't worth it any more. So instead of dealing with the ridiculous solution spewing, teeth sucking, taihen, shoganai muttering members of the JOC 'expert board,' the IOC laid down the law.

And this is the best the JOC can come up with?

Move the marathon to Sapporo, and for the next 20-30 years, every time Japan wants to talk about hosting an international sports event... remind them of this and vote them out in the first round.

Perfect for the European and American viewing public. Perhaps all events should be held in the middle of the night rather than Japan holding events during such inconsiderate daylight hours.

After all, it's not as though Japan will actually watch the events - it will simply repeat Japanese athletes winning meddles.

Make it all the nighttime olympics..

After all, it's not as though Japan will actually watch the events - it will simply repeat Japanese athletes winning meddles.

Oh man, very much this!

Sleep Walking

Is stubborness were a sport Japan would win gold everyday!

3 AM marathon is just an insanity.

Enough is enough, just accept the IOC decision and move the event to Hokkaido.

This farce just keeps getting better

JOC proposed the plan of October Olympics already years ago, but IOC refused it, so Japan can't do it.

The IOC specified that the 2020 Olympics would be held in July/August before they began the application process. It was non-negotiable. All cities that applied did so on that understanding. There was never any possibility that the Games would be moved to October.

3am?

Has any of these people ever been out at night or morning during the summer? It's still hot and humid. Also, who's awake in Japan to watch the race at 3am? The time works well for Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Hokkaido’s weather sounds much better for athletics, why not move the whole event there?

Wow Koike, how stupid are you... why don't we have it indoors next?

Careful there, Koike and the JOC's next suggestion will be to put it in the Tokyo Dome, with everyone on motorized treadmills. That'll sell some tickets!

they turned down Tokyo's bid to move the games to October.

I don't ever recall Tokyo wanting the games in October - do you have a link to support this?

The ideal temperature for Marathoon is 0-5c. Its time to move the sport to winter olympics

Hell no, that is far too cold. The ideal temp is around 10C!

Try running when it's 0C and see how fast your lungs feel like they are freezing! It doesnt feel too good, believe me, from experience, I know! It's can hurt like hell!

Not to mention that at that temp, either one really, if there is any wind at all, it would be far too cold.

Ridiculous! Move the whole games to October as in 1964 or just accept the move of the marathon to Sapporo. This farce is just making Tokyo look even more stupid.

3am marathon? And idea made by people who are not runners or marathon runners.

Right, no one ever thinks about the logistical problems before they shoot off their mouths!

But then again, it's just money right?

It is light out at 3:30 am in the summer and the sun pokes itself up at 4:30 and blistering hot by 8:30 with the sun high in the sky. Maybe this is a good time to tell the farmers off and change to a two hour daylight savings time.

Finally, the Olympics have been held in Tokyo before, so how did they manage then?

It was in October.. LOL

The poor runners.

03 am???? Man, they are just running out of ideas. Probably didn't like the IOC deciding for them, not good for the image so they want to push their own change through. While the IOC didn't consult Japan first I still think Hokkaido is a good option.

Years ago, most private houses didn't have air conditioning. It was hot, but not unbearably so. Then suddenly, the price came down and people had money so they got air conditioning and every house was pumping out hot air - especially at night. And so the temperature in the streets rose dramatically. The result is that the temperature at 3AM is hardly any different to the temperature at midday. In any case, the heat and humidity are one thing and the pollution is another. The air is heavily polluted in Tokyo. Less oxygen. How is that going to effect the athletes?

There are places closer to Tokyo that would be far more appropriate. Kofu, Nagano, Chichibu. Places with good clean air and a lower temperature.

How about some planning, guys? That's what you're being paid for!

The whole thing is a mess, has anyone asked the athletes for their opinions?

If being obstinate no matter what would be an Olympic sport, Japan would take away Gold easily.

Bruh, I'm sure they'd manage to sweep gold silver and bronze somehow!

Here's an idea, consult the athletes. They might be just as happy to run at 3:am if it keeps them closer to the rest of the action and where there families have already booked hotels and other event tickets. Or they may be largely in favour of spending a week in Sapporo.

Logistics-wise, the volunteers and staff would be getting to their posts by late or last trains. (3:am might actually be a better start time for them than 5:am or 6:am.) The athletes and officials would be taken by buses from the village. Less street traffic. Good for them. Spectators (the kind of nutters who line the streets, can sit on their camp chairs after the last train and make a night of it, or go out on first trains to watch the later stages. More people would be able to watch before going to work.

I don't care where it is. Or when. As long as the athletes are not dying. The choice should very promptly be put to them.

How about making it the first Olympics 24/7 like Japanese combinis. lol

3 am? Are they serious? Or maybe someone should say to those clowns that they forgot to ask what the first concerned here, the athletes, think about it. I can guaranty you that none of them will be happy to start running from the middle of the night when they are supposed to be sleeping. Athletes have a well defined routine for training and resting to which their body is used in order to give its maximum performance. Forcing them such a crazy schedule will break the potential of many of them.

They are trying at all cost to save face because it became clear that Tokyo was not the best place to organize the Olympics and that they blatantly lied to win them. And they are doing so in a very Japanese way by being arrogant and inconsiderate to others.

Wow Koike, how stupid are you... why don't we have it indoors next?

Years ago, most private houses didn't have air conditioning. It was hot, but not unbearably so. 

Huh? What era are you talking about? Tokyo throughout history is famous for "unbearably" hot and humid summers.

Summer nights in tokyo are still unbearably hot due to the heat island effect caused by too much concrete/pavement and not enough trees.

Why not start the run at about 11pm instead? Call it Tokyo Midnite Marathon. Much cooler.

Crazy idea. Human body is at lowest energy level between 3 and 5 and there is the risk the temperature could be well in excess of 30 degrees throughout the night. Hokkaido is the better option. Tokyo doesn't need to host all events.

It appears that in 1964 they got lucky to have avoided Typhoon season. Can you imagine if the Olympics/Paralympics had been held in October this year?

It appears that in 1964 they got lucky to have avoided Typhoon season.

Typhoons come to Japan in October lately, but 55 years ago typhoon very seldom come in October. There were no climate change at that time.

They tried midnight in Doha, but that did not work. How on earth can 3 am in Tokyo be any better than that? Yuriko Koike may be a tough nut, but will she volunteer to run with them?

I suspect that this seemingly simple problem will be keeping her awake for many nights to to come, and it may well have political fallout.

This is good but idea of having shops open their doors while turning on the ACs full blast still tops my list.

They really should have these meetings before happy hour kicks off.

There are several misconceptions here. Firstly cross-country skiers, whose sport is even more arduous at the longer distances than that of marathoners, compete in sub - freezing temperatures, so temperature alone should not be a problem.

Trying to work out if you are joking or not. For cold weather we have things called jackets, hats and coats. When you get hot you take them off. However, the comes a point where you cannot take anything else off.

Secondly, as regards heat, the Olympics and Commonwealth Games have been held in in hot places: Mexico, Malaysia, Queensland, Rome to name some. 

The only place comparable humidity wise is Malaysia, I believe. From recollection the games were held in September and anyway, it does not get as hot there as it does in the Japanese summer.

The ideal temperature for Marathoon is 0-5c. Its time to move the sport to winter olympics

“After all, it's not as though Japan will actually watch the events - it will simply repeat Japanese athletes winning meddles.”

There’s indeed a fraudian element to all this, with Japanese meddles losing athletes.

IOC doesn't want to pay for change place for marathon race. JOC doesn't want to pay. Tokyo doesn't pay another 30 billion yen. Hokkaido doesn't want to pay such money for Tokyo Olympics. Everything seems who pays the large amount of money for change. The result seems nothing changed finally. Sapporo is snow season from end of October to April.

“The time works well for Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.”

Not for Australia it doesn’t. It would still only be 4AM on the East coast and 2AM in Perth!

Shambolic.

Judge have to see walkers are actually walking, not running

Why not just line the entire course with people carrying buckets of water and arm them with super soaker water guns. As each runner passes, everyone can just shoot away! Fun for all!

The marathons will more than likely stay in Tokyo. I have friends who are part of the committee for planning the Olympics. All of them are sitting on there hands because there has been no word to begin working on the athlete village in Hokkaido, medical staff, accommodations, or food preparations. This decision was mostly likely done for the sake for politics. The IOC and Koike wants to be able to avoid blame if the athletes start getting sick in the heat. "We tried to find a better solution, but the other person wouldn't let us." No consultation was made on the decision and everyone and the Olympic's sponsors are sitting on their hands waiting to hear what is really going to happen.

can we stop this nonsense already? just cancel the whole darn thing

correction:

It is a nature. so there is still nothing they can do about it. Typhoon seldom came to Japan in October around 50 years ago. That's why JOC could choose October in 1964.

Mori would be a bit challanged mentally in a jr. high school class. It is sad that he could "leapfrog" into this position above thousands of more qualified people. Disgusting.

Just make a decision already. This hickhack is ridiculous.

It seems marathon race would be back held in Tokyo finally if nobody pays the large amount of money for change place. Hokkaido does not want to pay for Tokyo Olympics. Hokkaido is going to snow season soon. They could not prepare the course, facilities, staffs, hotels,,,,etc well on much much snow until April.

It's still really hot and humid at 3am. Clutching at straws!

Perhaps a good idea, but why have they started eyeing or mulling this idea now? What have they been doing until now?

And how are people expected to get to and from the event at this time? Are the trains and buses going to be running 24/7 for the Olympics? If so - why don't they do it all year round?

Also, if I was living near the marathon route and had to get up for work the next day, I'd be a bit cheesed off if the street outside my house was full of cheering supporters when I was trying to get some sleep.

Is this also part of omotenashi?

Tokyo eyes starting Olympic marathon at 3 a.m. to counter IOC plan

Too little, too late.

Typhoons come to Japan in October lately, but 55 years ago typhoon very seldom come in October. There were no climate change at that time.

Typhoon season officially runs from June to October! However, typhoons can pop up at any time!

Autumn typhoons are typically stronger storms because of the higher ocean temps

If there is there still someone who seriously thinks that the Olympic Games are about Sports and Athletes this proposal proofs them wrong.

I guess it will be a complete new experience for the Athletes to run at a time they usually sleep and before a crowd of (Japanese) hard core enthusiast only, particularly foreign visitors interested in those events will be very exited about another sleepless night after just recovering from their jet lag. Maybe also the employees of the subway and railway operators will appreciate the chance to show their commitment to their companies by working some extra night shifts.

typhoons can pop up at any time

It is a nature. so there is still nothing they can do about it. Typhoon seldom came to Japan around 50 years ago. That's why JOC could choose October in 1964.

If Japan messes up, and we see Athletes collapsing due to heat exhaustion then it unlikely that the Summer Olympics will be held in Asia, let alone Japan, again.

Some enterprising company will start selling night-vision goggles to athletes and any spectators that are up at 3 in the morning!

What a mess. It was a mistake to let Japan host the olympics again at its current state.

It seems to me that spectators are complaining much more about hot temperature and athletes will not complain much about temperature. If route place is decided whether route is hot temperature, high steep hills or a lot of rain fall, whatever,,, athletes just train to adapt body for the route condition. If athletes think they can't run, then do not join in the race. Race route can't be always nice and flat with comfortable temperature. All countries have different route conditions.

Move the whole games to October as in 1964 or just accept the move of the marathon to Sapporo.

JOC proposed the plan of October Olympics already years ago, but IOC refused it, so Japan can't do it. 1964 Tokyo Olympics was in October and its weather was very nice, not hot, not cold.

Considering jet lag, 3AM in Tokyo will be very advantageous for athletes for whom Tokyo's 3AM is their morning or afternoon, when they would be perfectly awake. This will be great for US runners.

There are always exceptions. If Tokyo is too hot, why not marathon, walk race do much later? Tokyo already prepared everything for marathon, walk race,,,,,etc. Sapporo seems too late to prepare for the game. Snow falls soon and can't prepare on much snow until April. IOC should have decided Sapporo years ago.

The IOC never should have tried to move the event this late in the preparation stage. That was a dick move and it undermines all the work that was done up to this point. They knew Japan was infamous for it's summer heat, they turned down Tokyo's bid to move the games to October. Just deal with it!

The best idea is most games are held in Tokyo as schedule plan. Only 2-3 games (marathon, walk race,,,etc) just do later (maybe September or October). Everything seems solved good.

There are several misconceptions here. Firstly cross-country skiers, whose sport is even more arduous at the longer distances than that of marathoners, compete in sub - freezing temperatures, so temperature alone should not be a problem.

Secondly, as regards heat, the Olympics and Commonwealth Games have been held in in hot places: Mexico, Malaysia, Queensland, Rome to name some. Athletes can be supported to train to acclimatize by their national organizational. Finally, the Olympics have been held in Tokyo before, so how did they manage then?

Its as if nobody knew Tokyo was hot in the Summer when they accepted Tokyo's bid.... Its not like Tokyo is the hottest city in the world, I am sure past games were fine running in the Summer heat.

Is great idea!

I think 3:30 am would be even greater so everyone is more sleepy at that time!

Hahaha, Japanese athletes are good at night sport.

Usually the maximum nighttime temp is around 27c. That's way better than 37c. Perhaps they should move more of the events to morning. So what if people have to change their sleep schedule. It already gets light at 4:30am in the summer.