IOF events have seen an increase in extreme heat conditions due to the effects of global climate change. This has become a significant factor in event planning. Heat mitigation strategies have been implemented at many events in the past few years.
The IOF Council has now decided that specific rules are required to help organisers plan for and make decisions in connection with extreme heat conditions. These rules include establishing a standard for maximum allowable temperature conditions for when competitions may be held.
Most likely this standard will be based upon using Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) which considers temperature, humidity, wind speed, radiation from the sun, and cloud cover. Similar methodology is already implemented in some other sports organisations.
The IOFs Medical Experts are now leading the process and other relevant experts are being consulted to establish a new policy for handling of heat, including maximum threshold levels, and a risk assessment tool tailored for orienteering.
The IOF will make an announcement and communicate with event organisers and other stakeholders once this has been finally established.