Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    Dr David Marlin
    Header image
    • News
      1. News
      2. Blog
      Featured
      29 March 2023

      Mycotoxins – We’re looking for testers!

      Recent
      29 March 2023

      Mycotoxins – We’re looking for testers!

      27 March 2023

      Complete our survey on Grazing Muzzles

      21 March 2023

      Latest research into induced delivery with a low dose of oxytocin now available

    • Resources
      • Articles
      • Product Reviews
      • How To
      • Feed Materials In Focus
      • Research/Papers
        • Research Reviewed
      • References
      • Glossary
    • Webinars
      • Coming Up LIVE Webinars
      • Webinar Replays
    • Podcasts/Videos
      • Podcasts
      • Videos
    • What’s On
    • Website Guide
      • Guide to the Site
      • Why Join?
      • Become a Member
      • About Dr David Marlin
      • Our Team
      • FAQs
      • Services & Contact
    • Members Area
      • Join Now
      • Your Membership
        • Manage Your Subscriptions
        • Edit Your Details
        • Renew Here
      • Member Offers
      • Member’s Questions
    • Log In
    Header image
    You are at:Home»News»Blog»David’s Diary from Tokyo – 30/07/21
    Tokyo 2020 Olympics cross-country sign

    David’s Diary from Tokyo – 30/07/21

    0
    By David Marlin on 30 July 2021 Blog

    A welcome rest day for everyone. This was perfectly timed for me as I had a visit from Sebastian Racinais of the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission who heads up the human heat management programme. Of course, we had a lot in common and he spent an hour with me and was very interested in the human-horse comparison and particularly our use of thermal imaging. We have exactly the same approach to cooling as the human side. He said their first step in heatstroke is whole-body immersion in ice baths! Even before they take ECG, bloods, etc. The only thing that would come at a higher priority is cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. He also showed me some of the latest tech which has been developed for the human side. It also turns out we use the same devices as you can see below. He is keen to keep in contact and exchange more data after the Games.

    The first flight of 36 dressage horses leaves this evening around midnight with a take-off around 5:00 am tomorrow from Haneda with 38 horses leaving the venue midnight tomorrow night with the same flight time of 5:00 am on Sunday.  As a result, a lot of horses are out getting hand walked. We wish them all a safe flight.

    Horses being hand walked at the Tokyo 2020 OlympicsThe most coveted items and probably most “borrowed” are golf carts, fridges, and coffee machines. And there is often unofficial trading that goes on. The farriers have tried to ensure theirs does not get “borrowed”. Head farrier Ben Benson from the UK below.

    Farrier golf cart at the Tokyo 2020 OlympicsEach area of the Games has its own complexity. Below is the watering plan for the different arenas today calculated based on the surface testing team and which also has to fit around the two eventing dressage sessions.

    Watering plan for the arenas at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

    And if you still don’t believe this venue is a Grooms dream, how about the washing machines, driers and freezers in each barn.

    So today is the first session of the eventing dressage. Eventing is the only discipline to have morning sessions (8:30 to 11:00 am) and today there is an evening session from 5:30 to 8:10 pm.   At around 11am today the WBGT index was 29°C and currently this afternoon before the session it’s close to 30°C. To give you an idea, if you walk at normal speed outside in WBGT of 30°C you will be sweating significantly in 5-10 minutes.

    However, I missed most of the eventing dressage as I was out at the cross-country venue at Sea Forest Park with Jenny Hall, head of the FEI Veterinary Committee putting up temperature and humidity loggers in the two blocks of temporary stables and checking the air quality before the horses arrive tomorrow afternoon ready for Sunday morning’s cross-country.  We also walked part of the course and caught up with the Irish eventers walking the course at the water complex.

    Irish eventers walking the water complex at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

    We have frequent reminders that the cross-country is on the flight path into Haneda, depending on the wind direction.

    Cross-country course under the flight path in to Haneda

    Tokyo 2020 Olympics cross-country sign

    The photos below show the tunnel for horses and people to access the South Stables where the German and USA teams are housed. These are slightly different stables in that the groom’s accommodation is directly above the stables and they also have their own arena.

    Tunnel entrance to the south stables for horses and people at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

    Inside the tunnel to the south stables for horses and people at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

    Tunnel exit to the south stables for horses and people at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

    Horses in the arena of the south stables for horses and people at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

    Although it’s pretty warm these clouds look a little ominous and in fact with 1 hour to go to the afternoon dressage session it just started raining. Not particularly hard, but it will push up the humidity.

    Cloudy day over the dressage arena at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

    Finally, on my afternoon rounds, I bumped into Holly Smith’s Denver just going out for a walk who is looking in fantastic condition.

    Holly Smith's Denver out for a walk

     

    Loading

    Related posts:

    1. David’s Diary from Tokyo – 2/08/21
    2. David’s Diary from Tokyo – 31/07/21
    3. David’s Diary from Tokyo – 22/07/21
    4. David’s Diary from Tokyo – 28/07/21
    diary Dr David Marlin eventing Olympics
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Avatar photo
    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 – 2/08/21

    David’s Diary from Tokyo – 31/07/21

    David’s Diary from Tokyo – 22/07/21

    Introduction from David
    https://vimeo.com/478007186?loop=0
    Popular Posts
    • 20% off a 6 months membership20% Off 6 month membership for January ONLY!
      In News
      1 January 2021
    • Podcast – Stress in horses and riders, by Dr David Marlin
      In Podcasts
      10 May 2021
    • Study finds that cushing’s drug has no evidence of heart problems
      In News
      18 November 2021
    • UV mask results fitting reviewHorse UV and fly mask fit review
      In Product Reviews, Resources
      6 July 2021
    • Tapering training for improved equestrian performance
      In Articles
      12 November 2020
    • Managing and Feeding Horses to Maintain Health in Hot & Humid Weather
      In Articles
      12 October 2020
    Join Now Banner
    About

    The drdavidmarlin.com site is an independent information resource for all equestrians. A source of unbiased, science-based research, we deliver news, and product reviews, with webinars, podcasts and articles covering the full breadth of the equine world.

    David Marlin has been involved with horses all his life and is an experienced equine scientist. He has always been passionate about equine welfare and as a result has been involved in many campaigns. You can read more about David in the About Page.

    Become a member today to get access to all this site has to offer!

    Become a Member

      Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
      Copyright © 2022 Dr David Marlin
      • How To Join
      • Website User Guide
      • FAQs
      • Services & Contact
      • Legal – Disclaimers, Terms, and Policies
      • Sitemap

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

      We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

      You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

      Dr David Marlin
      Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
      Privacy Overview

      This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

      Strictly Necessary Cookies

      Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

      If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.