When the Olympic Games open in Tokyo next Friday, New Zealand’s largest-ever team of 211 athletes is predicted to face record-breaking temperatures amid the challenge of competing in a global pandemic.
The Games will be held without cheering fans in the stands, due to a city-wide state of emergency as COVID-19 cases climb.
The SMC asked experts to comment on key concerns, and what may affect athletes’ performance, at these Games.
Dr Adam Storey, National Lead of Strength and Conditioning for Canoe Racing New Zealand, and Senior Research Fellow,
Sports Performance Research Institute, AUT University, comments:
Note: Adam has directly worked with the NZ Women’s Sprint Kayak team during their preparations for the Tokyo Olympic
Games, but these comments aren’t specific to the women’s sprint kayak team.
“Without a doubt, environmental factors will play a significant role in the outdoor events at the Olympics. As Tokyo is
set to be the hottest Games in history, many of our New Zealand athletes have been following a regimented heat strategy
to help prepare their bodies.
“The various heat acclimation interventions include training in heat chambers (where heat and humidity can be
controlled), performing passive heat protocols (i.e., post-training saunas and/or spas) and/or heading overseas for
training camps in warmer climates. The physiological adaptations from such interventions include an earlier onset of
sweating, a greater rate of sweat production, and a reduced electrolyte loss in sweat. In addition, athletes will see a
stabilisation of their core temperature and heart rate responses to exercise in the heat.
“As part of a pinnacle event build-up, it is important for athletes to compete, ideally on the world stage, to assess
how they are tracking towards their ultimate goal. However, due to the current state of the world, our athletes have had
to opt for local and in-house simulated competitions. Still, these events have enabled sports to test various
competition scenarios such as the regular use of PPE, social distancing within competition, and the potential issue of
an athlete or support staff getting sick. As touted in the world media, the Tokyo Olympics will be “a Summer Games like
no other” but our athletes will be prepared for a number of challenging situations.
“The issue of ‘no crowds’ is a double-edged sword as it will have the potential to impact athletes’ performances both
positively and negatively. Some athletes have literally had their family and friends attend every international
competition during their careers. Therefore, competing on the world’s biggest stage in an isolated environment will be a
strange experience for them but the athletes have had months to come to terms with this scenario.”
No conflict of interest.
Dr Caryn Zinn, Senior Lecturer and Dietician, Auckland University of Technology, comments:
“Sticking to the nutrition game plan at the Olympics is tough. Throw in a pandemic and you add another layer to the
challenge. At a ‘normal’ Olympics planned nutrition strategies can be interrupted with the overall excitement and
temptation to overindulge – as there is free and easy access to almost every food or fluid you can imagine, whether it’s
considered healthy or unhealthy.
“This year in Tokyo, the challenges will be different, but the outcomes might be similar. The drummed in message of
‘social distancing, face masks always, and hygiene’ will likely add an extra layer of stress to an already
emotionally-charged environment. It may put a dampener on things, causing anxiety, low mood, sleep disturbance, and even
isolation. This impacts food choices, often negatively; athletes could face overeating, undereating or wayward eating.
“What’s more, Tokyo’s sweltering temperatures and high humidity, partnered with the need to wear masks constantly will
likely be a challenge to maintaining fluid balance and hydration status. Athletes need to be mindful of these added
challenges under these physically and mentally demanding conditions.”
No conflict of interest.
Emeritus Professor Ian Culpan, Co-Director of the NZ Centre for Olympic Studies and former Head of the School of Sport
and Physical Education, University of Canterbury, comments:
“Astonishingly, the Tokyo Olympic Games are scheduled to begin in one week. The staggering fact that COVID-19 is
presently having a greater impact on Japan – and the rest of world – than when the Games were cancelled last year seems
lost on the decision-makers. Indeed, who does have the ultimate say in whether the Games go ahead?
“The Games are the definitive property of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the responsibility for
cancellation lies with the IOC, not with the organising committee, the host city, or the Japanese Government.
“Rhetoric from the IOC repeatedly assures the 90,000-plus athletes, coaches, and officials that the Games are “safe and
secure”, not only to the 90,000 but also to the Japanese population – the majority of whom do not want the Games.
Medical advice from experts across the globe does not necessarily share the IOC’s optimism, which raises the question as
to whether the IOC believes in its own rhetoric?
“Arguably, the IOC has already positioned itself not to be responsible or liable for any ‘super-spreader event’ that
might eventuate. Forcing participants to sign an agreement absolving the IOC of any liability for any health risks – now
or in the future – is admittance of a significant risk. Evidence of a plethora of health practices and regulations, not
least being no spectators in the stadiums, gives the health game away.
“Further, conducting the Games seems inconsistent with many clauses in the Olympic rule book, The Olympic Charter, which
“serves as statutes for the IOC”. One of the two reasons as to why the IOC exists – “to promote Olympism throughout the
world” – appears at variance with the IOC’s actions.
“And, other IOC documentation (such as the IOC Code of Ethics and the IOC Agenda 2020+) ooze with statements relating to
the IOC’s commitment to athlete health and wellbeing, and supporting UNESCO’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. On
analysis, the decision to go ahead with the Games does not align with any of the above and brings into focus the
authenticity of the IOC.
“Of course, there are other considerations as to why the Games might or might not go ahead. These include economic,
political, environmental, socio-cultural, and historical. However, the consideration that should loom largest is not a
health, political or economic one, or any of the others. It is a moral one, particularly when the goal of Olympism – the
reason why the IOC exists – “is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to
promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity” (Olympic Charter).
“Olympism, among other constructs, emphasises the educative value of role modelling, and the observance of an integrated
set of universal, ethical principles – not least being social responsibility, respect for others, tolerance, generosity,
and solidarity.
“When the risk of fuelling the global pandemic is real, how can the IOC continue to proceed when it’s decision does not
align with the main reason for its existence – the harmonious development of humankind and the preservation of human
dignity.”
No conflict of interest declared.
Raechel Laing, Professor, Clothing and Textile Sciences, University of Otago, comments:
“There are two sets of diverse considerations that affect what athletes wear for these games.
“First, clothing choice depends on the sporting code – what dress is specified, the characteristics of the specific
location in Japan where the event is held, and the duration of the event.
“Second, the surrounding environment. The temperature outdoors, before and during the event, is likely to be between 35
and 40+ degrees Celsius, and about 70 to 80% relative humidity. Some events will be indoors, and some will be in or on
water, which will have likely cooling effects.
“Sporting codes specify what may be worn during an event. For example, Equestrian events – part of the Olympics since
1900 – have detailed clothing requirements for dressage (e.g. top hats/bowlers, coats/jackets, breeches, tie, gloves,
and riding boots). Only the face is not covered with one or more textile layers. Wearing all this while competing
physically in a hot and humid environment restricts vaporisation of sweat from the competitor.
“To compare, the dress for water polo, surfing, and swimming – also subject to specification – but there are fewer
potential adverse effects from the surrounding environment. In these examples, some form of compression clothing /
textiles with minimal water absorption properties is appropriate.”
No conflict of interest declared.