World Athletics Championships Face ‘Heat Challenges’ in Tokyo, Warns President Seb Coe
As the world’s top track and field stars gear up for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, president Sebastian Coe has issued a stark warning about the event’s “heat challenges.” With Japan reeling from its hottest summer on record, the competition could test athletes’ limits and force organizers to rethink scheduling amid rising global temperatures.
Coe’s Press Conference Warning
During a press conference on September 9, 2025, following a World Athletics Council meeting, Lord Sebastian Coe addressed the impending heatwave head-on. “I don’t think it’s any great secret, we do have some heat challenges in Tokyo,” he stated, noting temperatures had already hit 33°C that day. The championships kick off on September 13 at the National Stadium, with forecasts predicting 32°C on opening day.
Coe emphasized the organization’s preparedness, boasting of World Athletics’ “most accomplished and capable health and science team in any international sport.” He highlighted the need for flexibility, particularly for endurance events, to prioritize athlete welfare. “If we are committed to athlete welfare, then it is inevitable that we are going to have to stage some of our events at times of the year that give optimum chances for the athletes,” Coe added, signaling potential calendar adjustments.
This comes after Japan’s Meteorological Agency reported an average summer temperature 2.36°C above normal from June to August—the hottest since records began in 1898.
Background: Tokyo’s History with Heat in Major Events
Tokyo has grappled with extreme heat before. During the pandemic-delayed 2021 Olympics, marathon and race walk events were relocated to the cooler northern city of Sapporo to mitigate risks. This time, those events stay in Tokyo, with men’s and women’s race walks starting at 8:00 a.m. local time on September 13 to dodge peak heat.
Coe referenced the 2021 Games as a precedent, where similar challenges arose, but praised athletics’ proactive stance. The sport’s leaders are now discussing broader implications of global warming, including rescheduling major meets to cooler seasons or venues. World Athletics will oversee decisions on proceeding with events, overriding local organizers if needed.
Heat mitigation measures include hydration stations, cooling zones, and medical monitoring, drawing from protocols refined since Tokyo 2021. Athletes like Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson have already noted the sweltering conditions, posting on Instagram: “Hot out here.”
Coe’s Broader Critique of Climate Inaction
Coe didn’t hold back on global leaders, accusing governments of failing to combat climate change. “Governments have not stepped up to the plate and sport is going to have to take some unilateral judgments and decisions here,” he said. He positioned athletics as a leader in addressing the crisis, given its outdoor nature and vulnerability to weather extremes.
This stance aligns with Coe’s tenure since 2015, where he’s championed sustainability, including carbon-neutral events and research into heat’s impact on performance.
Athlete and Expert Reactions
Athletes and coaches are bracing for the conditions. Hodgkinson’s post captured the sentiment, while experts like those from the British Journal of Sports Medicine warn that heat stress can impair endurance by up to 20% and raise injury risks. Coe expressed confidence in the field’s readiness, citing World Athletics’ superior protocols compared to other sports.
Social media buzzes with concern, from fans sharing heat advisories to athletes like Noah Lyles emphasizing acclimatization training. No major backlash has emerged, but calls for more climate-focused scheduling grow louder.
Impact on U.S. Fans, Athletes, and Global Sports
For American viewers, the championships—broadcast on NBC and Peacock—highlight stars like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Noah Lyles, but heat could alter outcomes in sprints and field events. U.S. athletes, training in humid climates, may adapt better, yet endurance specialists face hurdles, potentially affecting medal tallies.
Economically, the event boosts Tokyo’s $10 billion tourism sector, but extreme weather risks fan attendance and sponsor confidence. Globally, it underscores sports’ $500 billion industry’s vulnerability to climate change, pushing for resilient infrastructure amid U.S.-led debates on environmental policy.
Lifestyle-wise, it raises awareness for heat safety in outdoor activities, relevant for U.S. summer sports like marathons.
Conclusion: A Test of Resilience and Adaptation
Seb Coe’s admission of “heat challenges” at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships spotlights the intersection of elite sport and climate reality. With robust preparations in place, the event from September 13-21 promises thrilling competition, but it may catalyze long-term shifts in the global calendar.
As Coe urges, prioritizing athlete welfare could redefine athletics’ future, ensuring the sport endures rising temperatures. Fans worldwide tune in, hoping for standout performances amid the heat.