Run Length Reduction Considered for 2020 Olympic Triathlon

Triathlon Photo by Victoire Joncheray on Unsplash

The recipient of an MBA in finance from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management, Scott Bushley is an investment management professional who draws upon more than 20 years of relevant experience in his role as a partner at Granite Point Capital. Outside of his professional pursuits, Scott Bushley enjoys athletic endeavors like hiking, skiing, and biking. He has also completed several triathlons.

The triathlon event has been part of the Olympic program since the 2000 Sydney Games. The multi-sport event involves a 1,500-meter swim, a 40-kilometer bike ride, and 10-kilometer run, although this could change for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Officials are considering reducing the length of the run due to rising temperatures in the Asian country; more than 55 people in Japan were killed as a result of extreme temperature levels from late July to August 15, 2019.

Qualification for the triathlon event at the 2020 Olympics began on August 14, 2019, but due to expected temperatures in excess of 30 degrees Celsius and humidity of more than 82 percent, the 10-kilometer run was shortened to five kilometers. The International Triathlon Union (ITU) will review the qualifying event and determine if additional changes are required.

In addition to shortening the run distance, the ITU has already implemented earlier race start times, added extra water stations throughout the course, and revised heat stress protocols to combat extreme temperatures. The 2020 Tokyo Games will run from July 24 to August 9.

Advertisement

Braintree’s Hollingsworth Park

Image

Scott Bushley of Cohasset, Massachusetts, draws upon more than 20 years of investment management experience in his role as the finance and business operations partner at Granite Point Capital in Boston. Beyond his professional endeavors, Scott Bushley serves on the Board of Directors of the Cohasset Youth Baseball & Softball Association (CYBSA).

The CYBSA plays its games at more than a dozen locations throughout Massachusetts, one of which is Hollingsworth Park in Braintree. Often referred to as Hollingsworth Playground, the facility had playground equipment that was installed in the 1980s before it was torn down as a result of safety concerns. However, the Town of Braintree received $145,787 from the state to construct a new playground in 2014.

Regarding baseball, Hollingsworth Park’s Michael F. Dunn Little League Complex has five baseball diamonds, including Christopher Duffy Field, which is designated for tee-ball. The others have dimensions that are suitable for players ranging from 8 to 12 years old. The largest diamond, William G. Brooks Field, has lights and is often used for premier summer travel games. The park also has a snack bar that was constructed by volunteers in 2011.