Heat Illness Prevention at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Abstract

　Numerous issues regarding athletes and spectators, such as terrorism and infection control measures, have been raised concerning the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in summer 2020. In particular, heat illness is considered to be the most important problem.

　Venue medical officers (VMOs) at the Olympic Stadium, Tokyo Aquatics Centre (swimming, diving, and artistic swimming), and the Tatsumi Water Polo Centre in Tokyo have been appointed from Juntendo University by the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It has been decided that Juntendo University Hospitals with dispatch many volunteer doctors and nurses to these venues. As the Olympic Stadium is an outdoor facility, many people are expected to develop heat illness. Education of the medical staff not only about treatments but also about preventive measures is essential for the management of heat illness. Analysis of past statistics is useful for this purpose. We interviewed persons in different sections of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government related to the management of heat illness during the Tokyo Olympic Games. We also heard opinions of heat illness experts in the field of industrial health. Based on the information obtained and by referring to information collected by browsing the websites of related ministries and agencies, and through literature searches, we evaluated measures for the management of heat illness in consideration of basic matters and statistical findings about heat illness, and from the viewpoint of the discipline of sportology proposed by our university.