Tokyo Olympic marathons headed to cooler Sapporo

Gov. Koike takes swipe at committee's decision to take away top attractions

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The women's marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Doha: Nearly half the competitors failed to finish the Sept. 28 race amid sweltering heat and humidity. © Reuters

MASATO SUZUKI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- The International Olympic Committee is considering moving the marathons and race walking events for the 2020 Summer Games from Tokyo to the northern island of Hokkaido amid concerns about the Japanese capital's stiflingly hot weather.

"Athletes' health and well-being are always at the heart of our concerns," IOC President Thomas Bach said Wednesday. It is unusual for an Olympic venue to be changed less than a year before the event.

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