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Editorial
Ozone pollution: a ‘hidden’ environmental layer for athletes preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics & Paralympics
  1. Gareth N Sandford1,2,
  2. Trent Stellingwerff1,2,3,
  3. Michael Stephen Koehle1,4
  1. 1 School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  2. 2 Physiology, Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
  3. 3 Department of Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
  4. 4 Division of Sports Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  1. Correspondence to Dr Gareth N Sandford, Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z4, Canada; gsandford{at}csipacific.ca

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-103360

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    Introduction

    Environmental factors such as climate and pollution form a key part of major championship preparation.1 The Tokyo 2020 Olympic/Paralympic Games will present a unique combination of high thermal and ozone stressors. Japan has the highest levels of ozone in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; with annual peak values (65–73 ppb) aligning with the Olympic/Paralympic schedules (23 July to 5 September 2021).

    Herein, we provide a synopsis of the effects and potential mitigating factors of air pollution on athlete health and performance. We integrate these recommendations with established guidelines on heat,1 to provide guidance for the 2020 Summer Olympic/Paralympic Games and beyond (figure 1).

    Figure 1

    Summary of how to concurrently prepare to compete in the heat with high levels of ozone. An athlete performance and health checklist for science and medicine staff.

    Ozone

    Air pollution is a heterogeneous combination of both particles and gases that varies by location, time and season. Ground level ozone is a gas pollutant resulting from a chemical reaction between nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the presence of ultraviolet radiation.2 3 Due to ozone’s positive …

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    Footnotes

    • Twitter @Gareth_Sandford, @TStellingwerff, @mskoehle

    • Contributors SNG conceptualised the editorial with MSK. MSK and GNS wrote the editorial with TS providing critical input. GNS created the figure with critical feedback from MSK and TS. All authors contributed in drafting or revising the editorial and approved the final version to be published.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent for publication Not required.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.