No sweat for chilled athletes at hot-house Qatar worlds

This picture was taken on September 25, 2019, shows a view of air-condition vents to be used to blow cold air at Qatar's new al-Janoub Stadium in the capital Doha. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP)

Athletes competing at the World Athletics Championships which kick off in Doha today will warm up on a field where daytime temperatures reach 38 degrees celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) and humidity hovers around 50 per cent.

But they will then make their way 150m (165 yards) through a unique cooling tunnel into the air-conditioned Khalifa stadium where the climate is maintained at a pleasant 23-25 degrees.