BREAKING - OLYMPIC MARATHONS AND RACE WALKS MOVED FROM TOKYO TO SAPPORO DUE TO HEAT FEAR

Two years of people saying it's too hot / dangerous, and we finally get used to the idea (helped partly with seeing how Doha went) of a less predictable race, and now they change it. [sigh]

Perhaps because of Doha but more likely because of the Japanese marathon trials held a few weeks ago. Times were a bit slow and there was a higher dropout rate than one might expect. On the other hand it was a very exciting race.

BREAKING - Race walking is gay.

Work Commute Track Club wrote:

Prospective Olympic marathoners I have spoken to think this is stupid. You don't train your whole life to run the Olympic marathon that isn't held in the Olympic City. You will be going to the Olympics - on a different island. In a different city. Away from all the events, hype. You won't be staying with the rest of the track and field team. It sucks.

Speaking as a retired studly runner, I would have greatly applauded this decision and still do.

When focusing on a competitive marathon, I most definitely would NOT want to be around a much of noise, hype, and other types of event people with all their BS. Consider that some of them would be done with their events, celebrating and making all kinds of noise and disturbances. NO. I most definitely would not want to be around that.

This decision is a very good choice.

Kipchoge supports the move, as do many who are hoping to compete. Sapporo is an amazing city, & Hokkaido arguably the most beautiful of the 4 main islands in Japan. No different from the sailing being held in Weymouth for the London Olympics.

I think the walks should remain in Tokyo and be held at midday, FMD they need something to make them more entertaining.

To watch them staggering, bouncing off each other, collapsing, etc would be like something out of a Monty Python episode and a sure fire ratings winner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGxSM5y7Pfs

It’s a fine idea and not a big deal. The Olympic marathon itself isn’t even that big of a deal. It’s a considerably lesser race than, say, London.

sub sub elite local hobby jogger wrote:

Hmm, guess sarcasm does not translate well over the Internet for some folks.

That is correct, sub sub.

But thank you for setting me straight, you poor dear.

Since-eerily,

sub sub SUB

Are the Paralympic marathons (and race walks if they exist) also going to be moved?

Kipchoge is critical of nothing, his endorsement means squat.

Was looking forward to a war of attrition. Will the Japanese be miffed that they designed their Olympic marathon trials to be a test of who can best run in the heat. And now their fastest two men are vying for the one spot still available.

@EvanDunfee Replying to @Scienceofsport

less about the immersion. I want to win a god damn medal. And that is 10x easier in Tokyo than Sapporo for reasons you outlined. Athletes don’t prepare for the heat (see 2 of my recent tweets for examples) and therefore prep= closing the gap! That’s first and foremost why I’m mad