Heat Risk in Sport: Are Death and Serious Illness on the Rise with Extreme Temperatures?
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'Tragic but Avoidable' - Heat-Death Risk in Sport?
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: The Met Office confirmed 2026 as the UK's hottest summer, with many countries worldwide experiencing extreme heatwaves.
By Daniel Austin, BBC Sport senior journalist
Published 32 minutes ago, 3 August
On Monday, a devastating event shook the rugby world: Fijian player Saimoni Vunilagi passed away after displaying symptoms of severe heatstroke during training.
In a statement, Japanese second-division club Kyuden Voltex revealed Vunilagi's tragic death following intense heat conditions during his workout.
With temperatures reaching 35°C and humidity exceeding 75% in Fukuoka, Japan, on the day of Vunilagi's illness, the situation highlights a growing concern: is extreme heat becoming a more significant threat to athletes' health?
A Global Issue
The summer of 2026 witnessed numerous heat-related incidents in sports worldwide. Tennis players Jakub Mensik and Ekaterina Alexandrova collapsed during matches played in over 30°C conditions, while eight runners required medical attention at a South Korean marathon reaching 29°C.
Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar described the heat as "dangerous," and Matthew Brennan expressed his dismay after temperatures topped 40°C at the Vuelta a Espana.
Fifa's introduction of mandatory hydration breaks during the World Cup was met with controversy, raising questions about athlete welfare in extreme heat.
Monitoring Heat Stress
Sports such as tennis, athletics, and cycling use the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) system to assess heat stress levels, considering factors like air temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and solar radiation.
However, some experts argue that athletes deserve more robust protection from extreme heat, as recent years have seen a rise in heat-related illnesses across various sports globally.
Dr Madeleine Orr, assistant professor of sport ecology at the University of Toronto, emphasizes: "The heatwaves we're experiencing today are hotter than those in your childhood. Assuming past experiences can guide our approach to current conditions may not be sufficient."