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The Real Hurdle at Tokyo’s Olympic Test Events: The Heat

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Olympic test events are supposed to be just that — a litmus test for Olympic hopefuls, the host city, and the international sports federations responsible for the competitions.

This summer’s events in Tokyo have mostly been a test of how to manage the heat. On Thursday, the women’s triathlon was shortened because of dangerous temperatures.

Tokyo officials had already added extra water stations and positioned medical personnel every 500 meters on the run course, added more air-conditioned areas for athletes before and after the race, and set up massive ice baths for competitors past the finish line.