At what point do the weather conditions mean that sport is no longer an equal contest?
With all the talk this week about the weather at Melbourne Park during the Australian Open, should sportspeople of any level be exposed to these extreme conditions?
These were the weather readings taken form the weather station at Olympic Park, which is less than 200m from Melbourne Park where the tennis matches were taking place.
Wednesday
9am Temp 34.9 27% WGBT Approx 29
12pm 38.7 20% 31
3pm 40.2 20% 32
6pm 32.0 37% 29
9pm 26.7 57% 27
Thursday
9am 31.4 37% 28
12pm 39.9 18% 32
3pm 42.3 15% 33
6pm 41.2 19% 33
9pm 30.3 53% 29
Friday
9am 34.8 21% 28
12pm 38.4 17% 31
3pm 41.0 18% 33
6pm 28.6 45% 27
9pm 23.0 77% 26
The Australian Open tournament has for some time had an extreme heat policy.
The policy since 2003 has strict guidelines for allowing games to continue or to start. The policy, in part, reads:
“In addition to the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) being equal to or above 28, if the Absolute Temperature exceeds 35C (95F), the Tournament Referee may suspend the commencement of any further matches on the outside courts,”
My view is that the tournament referee should have suspended play when exceeded 38C (100c) and the WBGT being equal or greater than 30, with play resuming only when the absolute temperature is less than 32 and the WGBT less than 28.
Also while Australian Open tennis was on this week, Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria had various junior rep competitions which were held in these conditions.
They also need to look the dangers which they exposed the children to.
CV: Pathway programs in Melbourne
CA U17 National Championships (boys) in Adelaide Max Temp Mon: 42, Tues: 45, Thurs: 44
CA U18 National Championships (girls) in Ballarat Max Wed 39 Thurs 38 Fri 41
It shouldn’t take either the death of a ball kid at the tennis or the death of a junior cricketer for more pro-active action in relation to the cancellation of sport and the protection of those involved.
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