When extreme heat becomes a sporting hazard: How hot is too hot for athletes?

Fijian rugby player Saimoni Vunilagi, 26, has died in Japan after suffering suspected heatstroke following a training session in extreme summer heat. Vunilagi played for second-division Japanese club Kyushu KV. His death has renewed concerns about the dangers extreme heat poses to athletes, particularly as rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves make conditions increasingly challenging for outdoor sport. Climate journalist David Le Page speaks to Lester Kiewit about what this tragedy tells us about the growing risks of heat for athletes, how sporting events should respond to extreme conditions, and whether existing safety measures are keeping pace with a changing climate.   Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show.  This programme is your authentic Cape Town wake-up call. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is informative, enlightening and accessible. The team’s ability to spot & share relevant and unusual stories make the programme inclusive and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the popular World View feature at 7:45am daily.  Listen out for #LesterInYourLounge which is an outside broadcast – from the home of a listener in a different part of Cape Town - on the first Wednesday of every month. This show introduces you to interesting Capetonians as well as their favourite communities, habits, local personalities and neighbourhood news.  Thank you for listening to a podcast from Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit.  Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Good Morning CapeTalk with Lester Kiewit broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk  For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/xGkqLbT or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/f9Eeb7i  Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5  Follow us on social media  CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.