As the 2020 Games are coming upon us, the Organizing Committee still seeks further alternatives in order to combat the blazing heat expected to hit Japan’s capital during next summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Organizing Committee is also considering taking precautions by deploying an upgraded version of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile interceptors in the Tokyo metropolitan area before the Olympics next summer. Here’s the latest compilation of stories surrounding next summer’s Games:
JAPAN MAY DEPLOY UPGRADED PAC-3 MISSILES AHEAD OF OLYMPICS
Japan is considering deploying an upgraded version of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile interceptors in the Tokyo metropolitan area before the Olympics next summer, per Japanese news outlet The Japan Times.
The deployment of the improved ground-based batteries by units responsible for defending the capital’s airspace is planned for between April and July.
In order to ensure the security of Tokyo, where the Summer Games will open on July 24, the ministry wants to equip the 1st Air Defense Missile Group with PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors to defend against possible threats such as ballistic missiles, drones, and unidentified aircraft.
The current PAC-3 batteries deployed nationwide have a range of several dozen kilometers, and the upgraded version of the interceptors is expected to enhance detection capabilities and double the range.
CONSTRUCTION OF TOKYO’S NEW OLYMPIC STADIUM COMPLETE
Japanese news service Kyodo is reporting that construction work on the new National Stadium, the main venue for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, has been completed.
Construction of the 157 billion yen ($1.4 billion) stadium started in December 2016. The stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics as well as athletics and soccer events.
The stadium features a plant-covered facade designed to maintain harmony with the natural landscape of the neighboring Meiji Jingu Gaien area, while the eaves of the distinctive roof are made of wood gathered from the country’s 47 prefectures.
During our last Olympic Update report, we informed about the finding of the remains of at least 187 people dating back to the early 1900s or before at the site of the new National Stadium in Shinjuku Ward before construction began.
TOKYO ORGANIZING COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES THE USE OF 1,300 TONS OF ICE AS A HEAT PREVENTION MEASURE
Japanese news outlet Japan Today reports that, besides allowing spectators to bring drinks to Games venues or using snow machines as a cooling measure, the Organizing Committee will make 1,300 tons of ice available to athletes during the Games.
That would equate to about 38 large-sized tank trucks filled with the frosty frozen fluid. This will be divvied up and used in ice baths that will be installed at 100 event and practice venues for athletes to cool down in should the weather reach its expected level of heat and humidity.
Volunteers will also be given bottles of water along with salt tablets, sweat pads, instant coolants, and ice cream in order to stay hydrated.
VOLUNTEERS START 2020 TRAINING
Per The Japan Times, the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward -which served as the athletes’ village during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics- hosted the first training session for English speakers volunteering at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
Over 300 people took part in the session, during which they received a briefing on the history and significance of the Games, as well as how to accommodate the diverse needs of the many athletes and spectators who will arrive in Tokyo come next July.
More than 200,000 people worldwide applied for 80,000 “field cast” volunteer positions during the 2020 Games. Twelve percent of the accepted volunteers are non-Japanese and hail from 120 countries.
The real missile they need to be worried about is named Caeleb
Yes militarize an event that is supposed to be about unity
Probably the dumbest comment I’ve read in a while
Is this an onion article? How are missiles going to mitigate the heat? That’s the only danger. The 64′ games were in October. These planners need a severe a** whoopin.
Exactly, and while October may lose some viewers to other sports, the reduced heat would allow the athletes to have faster stronger and safer performances. Safety should come before ratings, and while swimming isn’t impacted as much as track events, times won’t be as fast
I think it’s just general notes on their preparation. The title is just very poorly worded
For 2020, Japan also promises to triple the refugee numbers from 20 in 2017 to 60 .
Swim Swam bias seriously at play here…
Haha just joking. Good reporting Swim Swam! Don’t let the haters bring you down