Coe says Doha conditions will "be tough" for marathon runners and walkers

SHOWS: DOHA, QATAR (SEPTEMBER 25, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SEBASTIAN COE SAYING:

"Sean I really don't want to speculate on that. Look, of course I want as many people to finish (the marathon) in good shape as possible, our medical teams are going to be very alert to that.

"Heat is actually, if I'm being tough here, heat is actually the big issue, clearly humidity. Anybody that has run or competed knows that actually you can deal with heat but humidity is really a challenge, so we will watch all those metrics.

"We do have extra precautions, we do have extra stuff out on the course, more medical support, more water, but yes it is going to be tough, it is going to be tough."

STORY: Newly re-elected president of the International Association of Athletics Federations Sebastian Coe said on Wednesday (September 25) that extra medical teams will be in attendance for marathon runners and walkers at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar.

With races starting at around midnight temperatures are still expected to be in the region of 32 degrees Celsius with 80 percent humidity which Coe admitted was "going to be tough" for the athletes.

The championships start on Friday with most track and field events taking place at the air conditioned Al Khalifa stadium.

(Production: Andy Ragg/Iain Axon)