Why the Summer Olympics are held in July, August despite heat

A woman holding a parasol stands in front of the construction site of the New National Stadium [Photo: Courtesy]

A heat wave scorching Japan is raising questions about timing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics during July and August, typically the annual peak for temperatures and humidity, and the health risks that might pose for athletes and spectators.

When Tokyo first hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964, they were held during the cooler, drier month of October. The 1968 Mexico City games were also held in October.