人们越来越担心明年夏天东京奥运会期间的酷热和潮湿可能对运动员来说很危险。
Summer temperatures in the Japanese capital often reach 35 degrees Celsius or higher. There also is strong sunshine and humidity can reach 80 percent.
日本东京夏季气温通常会达到35摄氏度以上。这里阳光强烈，湿度能达到80%。
Earlier this month, a worker at the Olympic building area in the city died from heat stroke.
本月初，东京奥林匹克建筑区的一名工人死于中暑。
This year, high temperatures beginning in late July were blamed for the deaths of at least 57 people.
今年7月下旬开始的高温造成了至少57人死亡。
George Havenith is an expert on the effects of temperature and climate on athletes at Britain's Loughborough University. He said the heat and humidity could be dangerous.
乔治·哈文尼斯是英国拉夫堡大学温度和气候对运动员影响方面的专家。他说，酷热和潮湿可能很危险。
Humidity interferes with the body's natural cooling system, he said, and that could make it very difficult for the athletes.
他说，湿度会干扰身体的自然降温系统，这可能会让运动员面临困难。
Heat stroke a real danger
中暑危害大
Heat stroke is a big danger, especially for endurance events, Havenith said. "About 15 percent of athletes even in a cool environment have body temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius." But, when the temperature gets above 40 degrees Celsius, he said, more athletes could face heat stroke.
哈文尼斯表示，中暑的危害很大，尤其是对耐力赛来说。他说：“即使在凉爽的环境中，大约有15%的运动员的体温会超过40摄氏度。”但是当温度超过40摄氏度时，会有更多远动员可能中暑。
Tokyo has held several endurance test events in recent weeks, including a triathlon and a swimming marathon. Japanese swimmer Yumi Kida hopes to compete in the Games next summer. She said conditions in Tokyo Bay were difficult.
东京最近几周举办了几场耐力测试赛，包括铁人三项和游泳马拉松。日本游泳选手木田由美希望参加明年夏天的奥运会。她说东京湾的条件很艰苦。
"The sunlight was strong and the water temperature was high. When I joined the race, I worried I might suffer from heat stroke," she said.
木田由美表示：“当时阳光很强，水温也很高。当我参加这次（耐力测试）比赛时，我就担心自己会中暑。”
Additional measures needed to ease heat effects
减轻热效应的其它措施
Event organizers have changed the start times of several endurance events to begin early in the morning. They said they are taking other measures to ease concerns about the heat.
赛事组织者已经将一些耐力赛的开始时间改到早晨。他们表示正在采取其它措施来缓解人们对酷热的担忧。
Yasuo Mori is with the Tokyo 2020 Games Operations Bureau. He told reporters, "I also hear they are deploying medical staff every 50 meters of the marathon course." He added that more water than usual will also be available.
森井康夫就职于2020年东京奥运组委会。他对记者表示：“我也听说他们会在马拉松赛道上每隔50米安排医务人员。”他还说，赛事方还会提供比平常更多的饮用水。
Havenith said additional measures may be needed.
哈文尼斯表示可能需要采取其它措施。
"Having ice baths available for the athletes to cool them down quickly...it's very important to have that, because if you decide to (take) them to the hospital before you do the cooling, you put them at risk."
他说：“为运动员提供冰浴可以让他们快速降温。这一点非常重要，因为如果你决定在给他们降温前送去医院，就会把他们置于危险中。”
Tokyo last held the Olympics in 1964. At that time, the Games were moved to October to avoid the summer heat. That is no longer possible because of the demands of international broadcasters.
东京上次在1964年举办了奥运会。当时把那次奥运会改到了十月份进行，以避免夏日炎热。由于国际转播商的要求，现在已经不可能再那样做。
Scientists say all athletes should arrive in Tokyo early so they can adapt to the climate.
科学家表示，所有运动员应该尽早抵达东京以便适应气候。
I'm Susan Shand.
我是苏珊·善德。(51VOA.COM原创翻译，禁止转载，违者必究！)