Is Tokyo OK? I thought at the Australian Open in the intense heat

Is Tokyo OK? 14:08 on February 3 at the Australian Open in the heat wave

It's stuffy rather than hot.
The Australian Open of Tennis closed on the 2nd. On the 12th day of the tournament, the maximum temperature on January 31 was 42 degrees 9 minutes. In the shade, there was a lot of enthusiasm on the face, and the game played outdoors had to be interrupted. Held annually in the southern hemisphere, midsummer Australia and Melbourne, the tournament takes every measure for the heat, not only for the players but also for the audience. About half a year later, we approached the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics from a virtual Tokyo perspective.

Unique rules for measures against intense heat

First of all, measures against intense heat for players.
The Australian Open has its own rules that determine how the game will proceed during intense heat, taking into account the health of the players, and these rules have been updated since last year's tournament.

The organizer measures the temperature, radiant heat, humidity, and wind speed at the venue, calculates its own "heat index", and provides breaks during the game or interrupts the game. You.

On January 31, when the heat index reached its highest level of "5", all matches played on the outdoor court were suspended for several hours in the afternoon.

The Ariake Tennis Forest, which is the venue for wheelchair tennis at the Tokyo Olympics and the Paralympic Games, is also an outdoor venue. I would like to consider it with reference to the openness. "

What is the hot weather measure for the audience?

The Australian Open is called "Happy Grand Slam" because of its hospitality. The measures against the intense heat of the audience were also substantial.
I paid attention to the audience seats.
This year, 16 of the 33 hard courts in Melbourne Park were played.

Most of the seats have sunshade roofs.

On the other hand, in the case of the Ariake Tennis Forest, which is off the coast of the Tokyo Games, even the newly built second largest court has a roof only on the seats behind the baseline.

The parasols cannot be opened in the audience seats during the play, and can the spectators safely watch a tennis game that lasts for more than two hours in the long run?
I really thought that adding a roof would not be possible at the Tokyo Games.

Another aim

I also felt the number of drinking fountains around the venue.
There were 21 drinking fountains with multiple faucets, mainly in the area where outdoor courts lined up.

I often saw scenes of water being poured into containers brought by children, volunteers, and security guards who picked up the ball, as well as the audience.
At the drinking fountain, there are three words: "REDUCE (reduce), REFILL (refill), REHYDRATE (let's hydrate).
Drinking fountains are not only a measure against the heat, but also have the intention of reducing the amount of plastic garbage without buying a lot of drinks in containers and taking care of the environment.

At the Tokyo Games, we will allow spectators to bring water bottles, and plan to install water taps in outdoor venues at a ratio of one to 500 to 3,000.

Every time I saw the people drinking water at the Australian Open drinking fountain, I felt that it would be an initiative that would lead to the concept of "realizing a sustainable society" advocated by the Tokyo Games.

Even if you are careful ...

Actually, when I was reporting outdoors to take measures against the heat, there was a scene where my head became dull.

After stopping the interview and moving to a cool room, a fellow staff wrapped the ice from the cafeteria around a hand towel and made an instant ice towel.

Looking back at my actions while putting an "ice towel" on my neck, I thought I was careful, but I wonder if there were few opportunities for hydration. "I was late the night before ..."

What can we do?

The Tokyo Games are expected to be extremely hot.
Of course, the management side will take measures, but the audience and staff and everyone involved in the tournament have realized that it is important to think in advance whether there is anything they can prepare for themselves, and the reporter himself said, "Health before the manuscript".
(Interview: Sports News Department reporter Misako Imai)