The heatwave in Tokyo has claimed its first victim. A golf caddie was hospitalized after suffering heatstroke during a round of golf in the searing heat.
The when will the olympics be is a question that many people ask themselves. The Tokyo Olympics will start on July 24th, 2023.
Lexi Thompson of Team USA and her caddy Jack Fulghum
Lexi Thompson of Team USA and her caddy Jack FulghumAt the women’s Olympic golf, players battled the scorching heat, with American Lexi Thompson’s caddy withdrawing due to heatstroke on Wednesday.
At the Kasumigaseki Country Club, the midday heat index reached 41 degrees Celsius, prompting players to use umbrellas and hold ice on their heads to stay cool.
Due to the weather prediction for Friday, Canada and Sweden have requested that the women’s football final be postponed from 11 a.m. local time.
With the current kick-off time, there have been worries about player safety.
“Temperatures in Tokyo are likely to increase over the next several days, with daytime highs of 34 or even 35C in the capital on Thursday and just a degree or two lower on Friday, along with high humidity,” says Nikki Berry, a weather forecaster.
Berry went on to say that the present temperature was greater than the August average of 31 degrees Celsius, and that the heat may impact the marathon and race walk events this weekend.
‘I had a dizzy spell.’
Due to the heat, US Women’s Open winner Yuka Saso had to change her caddy on Tuesday, while Thompson’s caddie, Jack Fughum, was lost on the back nine of the opening round on Wednesday.
On the 15th hole, Fulghum required medical care, so US golf team coach Donna Wilkins stepped in to carry Thompson’s bag for the rest of the round.
Thompson, who shot a one-over-par 72, said, “I was really concerned about him, it’s so hot out there.”
“I’m from Florida, so I’m not accustomed to such extreme heat.”
“I just hope he’s well and that he receives the water and nutrition he needs tonight to get through the next several days. If not, I’ll come up with something new. All I want is for him to be healthy.”
Korda, the US Women’s PGA champion, acknowledged that dealing with the extreme heat was tough.
“I believe the mental part is probably the most difficult,” she added, “simply because you have to keep yourself hydrated and you kind of loose it out there.”
“I certainly felt a bit light-headed as I was teeing up some balls.”
Players are advised not to play more than 18 holes in one day, according to the organizers, and heat mitigation measures will be in place for Thursday’s second round, including ‘umbrellas available on the first tee to all players/caddies, roving carts with ice and cooling towels, and volunteers with umbrellas on each tee.’
Due to the threat of a storm, authorities have decided to make the women’s tournament a 54-hole event.
On Friday, thunderstorms are expected, with severe weather likely throughout the weekend.
‘There’s a huge difference between playing in the day and playing in the evening.’
The gold medal match between Canada and Sweden will take place during the warmest portion of the day.
The International Olympic Committee and Fifa, the global governing body of football, have been approached to see whether the game may be relocated.
“We’re mainly concerned about the players’ health and are attempting to alter the game’s time. There’s a huge difference between playing in the afternoon and playing in the evening, and we’re all exposed to the sun and heat “Sweden’s women’s squad is led by Marika Domanski Lyfors.
“We are prepared if we have to play at 11 a.m., but it would obviously be better for the performance and the game if we could play later.”
“Canada has the same viewpoint,” she said.
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