World Athletics Championship: Japan heatwave will be challenge for athletes, says Sebastian Coe

However, unlike during the pandemic-delayed Games in Japan four years ago, the marathon and race walk events will remain in Tokyo.

In 2021, both events were moved to the cooler northern city of Sapporo due to heat concerns.

Both the men’s and women’s race walks are scheduled to start at 8:00am local time on Saturday in a bid to beat the heat.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday,, external Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson uploaded a photo from her Japanese training base with the caption: “Hot out here”.

Coe says the battle against climate change has fallen on sports leaders after inaction from governments.

“Governments have not stepped up to the plate and sport is going to have to take some unilateral judgments and decisions here,” added Coe.

“And we have reflected in the past, if we are committed to athlete welfare, then we should probably be openly committed to that.”