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    Dr David Marlin
    You are at:Home»News»Blog»David’s Diary from Tokyo – 29/07/21
    David at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with Goran Akerstrom and Emily Sandler

    David’s Diary from Tokyo – 29/07/21

    0
    By David Marlin on 29 July 2021 Blog

    Wow! What a day and what a night. Yesterday after various morning meetings I went to see the legendary “arrival of the ice” with the Ice Queen, Max Corcoran, an ITO from USA who is in charge of cooling (acronyms are everywhere at the Olympics – ITO = International Technical Official). Max has done a lovely video which I can share after the Games.  I will be running a FREE webinar “Olympic Roundup – Let’s go behind the scenes” on Wednesday 11th August, showing photos and videos of all things equestrian, register here

    Max Corcoran at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
    Tokyo 2020 Olympics cooling containers on lorry
    International Technical Officials at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
    Crate filled with ice for cooling
    Unloading of the ice at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
    Ice being transported into the cooling container at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

    Some Olympic Ice Facts

    • Each stable block has four blue insulated water containers
    • Each one holds around 700 litres of water
    • These are kept below 15°C between 06:00 and 22:00h each day
    • There are 6 cooling areas in warmup and training areas with two blue water containers in
    • At the start of the day 500 x 1.7kg ice blocks are used to lower the temperature for the stables and 220 for the cooling tents
    • That’s a total of 1224kg of ice or 1.2 metric tons of ice
    • A further 1.2 tons of ice is used during the day to keep the containers below at least 15°C
    • A 120 bags of crushed ice are used each day for icing legs

    Early evening just before the Dressage Freestyle it was lovely to see so many eventers and jumpers out relaxing.

    Eventers and jumpers relaxing at the Tokyo Olympics 2020

    Last night we were watching the lightning again. Around 1h into the Dressage Freestyle we started to see flashs of lightning from the Judge’s tower but could not hear thunder. The closest lightning was around 10km from the Equestrian Venue and at one stage halting competition was close, but discussion with the Japanese Meterological Agency staff clarified that we should be able to safely continue. Having the medal ceremony the next day or tonight without horses was also very close to being called.

    Satellite image of lightning storm at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Satellite image of a lightning storm over Japan during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

    Whilst it was warm again last night there was no cause for concern. Its been impressive how well teams have prepared for the heat and taken on advice. Don’t think I’ve seen a sweat scraper since I’ve been here. The picture below shows me with Goran Akerstrom (FEI Veterinary Director) and Emily Sandler (Veterinary Commission) enjoying the sunset and the dressage.

    David at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with Goran Akerstrom and Emily Sandler

    Tokyo 2020 Olympics sunset over the dressage arena

    One of the advantages of being all access is that I could get down to watch Charlotte and Gio and managed a photo as they came in after their test which gave them Bronze, which of course I was delighted for them. It’s a funny position to see riders and horses who’s preparation I’ve been heavily involved with here but for whom at the Olympics I have no involvement at all due to my FEI role. And the stands were pretty full which was lovely for all the riders.

    Charlotte riding Gio at the Tokyo 2020 OlympicsStands during the dressage at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

    This morning as I was walking around the stables Alan Davies kindly let me have a photo with Gio. This might be my best moment here so far. I would have tried to get one with Charlotte, Charlotte and Carl but they were already on their way to the airport. Due to COVID there is no hanging around in Japan once your event is over. But the great news for the horses is that their journey home will be 7h shorter due to Isabell Werth pulling some BIG strings in Russia to allow the Emirates flight to be able to fly direct over Russian airspace which avoids the need to refuel in Dubai. This is such a great result and I am informed ALL horse flights will be able to do the same.

    David at Tokyo Olympics 2020 with Gio

    A few people have said how lucky I am to be here. I completely understand but for me it’s a privilege that I really appreciate and also a great responsibility and opportunity to be able to contribute to equine welfare. So far the heat hasn’t had any negative impact as far as I can see and that’s a great result.

    The eventing trot up was this morning and it was pretty warm. The eventers were very sensibly using the indoor arena to wait to be called.

    Tokyo 2020 Olympics indoor arena Horses inside the indoor arena at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Tokyo 2020 Olympics judges in the arena

    Today we have no competitions. So it will be an early departure (6:30pm) and a chance to order in some good food – anything will be better than last night’s emergency Pot Noodle as I missed dinner whilst on lightning watch!

    Regards,

    David

    Related posts:

    1. Cooling Your Horse’s Lower Legs – Why, Why Not and How
    2. David’s Diary from Tokyo – 28/07/21
    3. Hydration & Forage – Hay Soaking
    4. Podcast – Rugging Your Horse – Dr David Marlin
    cooling davids tokyo diary Ice Olympics tokyo
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    David Marlin

    Dr David Marlin is a physiologist and biochemist who has worked in academia, research and professional sport. He has worked in the equestrian and veterinary world and in human sport, healthcare, medicine and exercise science. In 1989 David obtained his PhD from the UK’s leading sports university, Loughborough University following a four-year study on the responses of Thoroughbred racehorses to exercise and training, undertaken at the renowned Animal Health Trust in Newmarket. You can read David's full biography in the Our Website section.

    Related Posts

    David’s Diary from Tokyo – 28/07/21

    Hydration & Forage – Hay Soaking

    Cooling Your Horse’s Lower Legs – Why, Why Not and How

    Introduction from David
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