In Tokyo
Unpredictable weather in Tokyo has forced organisers to change the programme for the 2025 World Athletics Championships, which start on Saturday in the Japanese capital.
“Due to expected elevated heat conditions that could pose a health and safety risk to competing athletes, all road events on the first three days of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 will start 30 minutes earlier than scheduled. The new start time for the women’s and men’s 35 kilometres race walk on Saturday, 13 September, women’s marathon on Sunday 14 September, and men’s marathon on Monday 15 September is 07:30am,” World Athletics said in a statement on Thursday.
“The start time for the road events had originally been set at 8am (2am Kenyan time) in consideration of climate conditions, operational aspects, and maximising spectator attendance. However, despite the World Championships being scheduled for mid-September when temperatures were expected to be lower than during the summer in Tokyo, levels this year have remained at those of mid-summer,” the statement further said.
The decision to safeguard athletes' health and safety was jointly arrived at by World Athletics, the championships’ Local Organising Committee, and the World Athletics Health & Science Department. The affected athletes have been notified of the changes.
This means that the Kenyan women’s marathon team, comprising Peres Jepchirchir, Magdalene Masai, Jackline Cherono, Magdaline Masai Yeko and reserve runner Vivian Cheruiyot, will compete at 7:50 am on Saturday (Kenyan time), which is 1:50 pm on Saturday in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, the men’s marathon team comprising Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, Erick Kiplagat Sang, Kennedy Kimutai and reserve athlete Hillary Kipkoech will compete at 1:30 am on Sunday (7:30 am in Tokyo).
There are no changes to the start times of the in-stadium competitions on each of the three days.
"To protect athletes from the effects of adverse weather, races scheduled for Saturday will start 30 minutes earlier," World Athletics said in a statement on its website.
The storm also caused flight delays at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, which is hosting the 23rd edition of the biennial track and field championships.
"We are experiencing flight delays due to severe weather in Tokyo. Flights will arrive between 40 minutes and one hour late," read mesaages on electronic boards at Haneda International Airport.
All eyes will be on Olympics 5,000m and 10,000m champion, Beatrice Chebet, as she leads the Kenyan charge in women's 10,000m race.
Chebet, who also holds the world record over 5,000m and 10,000m, will be seeking to become the first woman to hold both Olympics and world titles over 5000m and 1000m.
She is the reigning Olympic women's 5,000m and 10,000m champion.
On Saturday, Kenya's 4x400m mixed relay team are due to compete in the preliminary races from 11.40am local time (5.40 am Kenyan time).
