Organisers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have pledged to put athletes first in scheduling of events to combat issues with heat at the next summer Games.
The Tokyo Games will stretch into the first week of September, when temperatures can push into the early 30Cs, raising concerns if events are scheduled during the hottest times of the day to maximise television coverage in the large US markets.
Japanese Olympic Committee president Tsunekazu Takeda said negotiations on scheduling were yet to be completed but he hoped that the concept of the athletes coming first would prevail.
"Athletes first must be a priority. We must be fair to the athletes," he said.
Mr Takeda said organisers were also looking at innovative ways of keeping athletes, officials and spectators cool including new pavement technology, misting at venues and added green space.
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In the Rio Olympics, finals in a number of sports have been scheduled late a night to fall in prime time in the US.
For that to happen at the Tokyo Games, finals would have to be staged in the heat of the day.
Tokyo officials have also promised to deliver a sustainable games in 2020 by using existing facilities and ensuring all venues constructed for the Games will either be used fully after the Olympics or dismantled.
They said they had noted the simple construction techniques employed by organisers in Rio.
At the same time they have also pledged to bring technological innovation to the next Olympics, working with the private sector to deliver a cutting edge experience to athletes and spectators.
