JAKARTA - Tokyo Olympics organizers rescheduled the rowing event as a protective measure for Saturday, July 24 today following a tropical storm headed for the Japanese capital.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Tropical Storm Nepartak, with speeds of up to 90 kilometers (56 miles) per hour, was still about 1,800 kilometers south of Tokyo. However, the storm is expected to arrive in the Olympic host city on Tuesday, July 27.
Olympic organizers have noticed the storm's trail and have decided to hold the rowing event originally scheduled for Monday into the weekend.
"Unlike an earthquake, we can predict the path of a typhoon so we can prepare in advance," said Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya.
"In the case of rowing, as a protective measure, we have decided to change the event schedule. We are paying attention to the path of the typhoon," Takaya said, warning that the typhoon was potentially dangerous.
"We will take responsible action."
In an update on weather conditions, World Sailing warned that Olympic competitions from the 26th to the 28th may be affected although organizers have not announced any changes.
Japan's hurricane season runs from around May to October, peaking in August and September.
The storm has disrupted the organization of sporting events in the country before. In 2019, Typhoon Hagibis hit as Japan hosted the Rugby World Cup.
The devastating storm killed more than 100 people, and forced World Cup organizers to cancel three matches.
Meanwhile, Indonesian rowers Mutiara Rahma Putri and Melani Putri took sixth place with a record time of 7 minutes 52.57 seconds in the heat 1 competition in the women's lightweight doubles scull event at the Tokyo Olympics at Sea Forest Waterway, Tokyo Bay, Saturday morning.
Mutiara/Melani are 49.10 seconds adrift of France's Laura Tarantola/Claire Bove who finished ahead with 7:03.47 minutes.
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