Extreme Heat Forces Emergency Rule Change at Olympics
One Team GB Star Criticizes Organizers
As the Tokyo Olympics reached its midpoint, Team GB had collected an impressive medal haul: four golds, five silvers, and four bronzes. However, the games were also marred by an emergency rule change that sparked criticism from athletes.
On Tuesday night, the GB swimming team celebrated its first gold after successfully defending their 4x200m freestyle relay title. Earlier that day, however, tennis star Jack Draper’s Olympic dream was cut short in sweltering conditions.
During Draper’s match against American Taylor Fritz, temperatures soared to 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit) at Roland Garros, forcing the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to implement a new rule. According to The Sun, the modification of play rule entitled players in singles matches to a 10-minute break between the second and third sets to combat heat stress.
Following his defeat, Draper expressed frustration with the organizers. “I said to the referee, ‘It’s pretty poor that the players have to drink hot water when we’re playing in those conditions,'” he said. “We did have ice towels and stuff, but usually it’s important that we have good fridges to keep our water cool.”
Fritz echoed Draper’s concerns. “It’s hard to find cold water out here. I found the [bottles] on the court maybe a bit colder than everywhere else, but it’s tough to get some cold water out there,” he said.
The ITF acknowledged the extreme heat and the challenges it posed to athletes. “The latest Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reading has exceeded 30.1 Celsius, meaning that the modification of play rule is now in effect,” the federation said in a statement.
The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is a measure of heat stress that takes into account air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation. When the WBGT exceeds 30.1 Celsius, it becomes dangerous for athletes to continue playing without breaks.
The emergency rule change is a reminder of the challenges athletes face when competing in extreme heat. It also raises questions about the preparedness of the Olympic organizers to ensure the safety of athletes in the face of rising global temperatures.
As the Olympics continue, it remains to be seen whether the emergency rule change will be enough to prevent heat-related illnesses and injuries. However, it is a clear indication that the issue of heat stress in professional sports will only become more pressing in the years to come.
