The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) confirmed on December 12 that the marathon events at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will remain in the city.
The decision, announced at the end of the eighth IPC Tokyo 2020 Project Review, was taken following a thorough analysis of 2019 heat and humidity data and after consultation.
Five marathon medal events are set to take place on 6 September 2020, the final day of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with events scheduled to start at 06:30.
“The health and well-being of our athletes is a top priority for us at all times and before taking a final decision to keep the Paralympic marathon events in Tokyo it was vital for us to analyse all the relevant data and speak to the athletes themselves.” Said Andrew Parsons, IPC President
“The marathon is also the last event of the whole of Tokyo 2020 and athletes believe competing on the streets of the city in a free event that anyone can attend is a way of saying thank you for the tremendous support Tokyo residents have shown the Paralympic Movement over the last seven years.”
The IPC and Tokyo 2020 also confirmed that after consultation with the International Triathlon Union, the start time of Para triathlon events on 29 and 30 August have been brought forward from 07:30 to 06:30.
The first races will involve the classes of athletes who, due to their impairment, are most impacted by heat.
