World Athletics Championships: Tokyo warm-up facilities ‘not perfect’, says Lord Coe

On Friday, after securing her place in Sunday’s 800m final, Hodgkinson said she may have to change her routine.

She said: “With the whole warm-up situation, you’re warming up for almost two hours.

“It can be quite draining, so maybe we will have to look at doing something better come Sunday.”

Last week, American middle-distance runner Nikki Hiltz described it as “weird”, adding: “It’s definitely not usual, but we’re all in the same boat.”

Jamaican coach Stephen Francis was more critical. In an interview with his country’s TVJ news channel, Francis described what he felt were a number of logistical issues, including the “distance from the stadium to the warm-up track”.

He added: “Those areas of a meet are not befitting the top meet of the year for World Athletics.”

A World Athletics statement said: “The athlete experience is of utmost importance for World Athletics and the local organising committee at these World Athletics Championships, and we have put a lot of consideration into their preparations within the constraints of locations and venues.

“This type of configuration is not unique – as we have seen from previous Olympic Games and other major athletics championships.

“The rules regarding warm-up, call room and transport apply to every team and every athlete without exception.

“The brilliant performances we have seen so far from the athletes speak for themselves.”