Time to abandon training in the scorching heat now!
The death of a Korea University rugby player is a disaster after the ignorant belief, strong players can be born under the heat wave.
ย
Another disaster has occurred, that could have been prevented, while the heat is at its peak. Or rather, it is an incident that seems no different from entering fire after pouring oil on the body. This is no different from the ignorant leader and the teamโs attitude and quality that has caused the incident. On August 19, a Korea University rugby player who went to Japan for a training camp died while training in the heat. It could have been prevented. This kind of training should not have been done in the first place.
ย
Athletes are a special group of people as they are very vulnerable to injury and safety. It is often thought that the best athletes have strong physical strength, but this is only an elegant explanation of their superiority compared to ordinary people, and the physical pain and environmental challenges that athletes face every day are placed in front of life-threatening moments beyond the word extreme. Weather and climate, especially heat, are classified as the worst risk factors as known.
ย
Scientists and international expert groups have long warned of the dangers of heat in sports. The International Olympic Committee also strongly agrees the risk of a hot environment and urges a necessity of protecting athletes from the heat. The American College of Sports Medicine, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and other schools and professional sports organizations in the United States have proposed policies to actively intervene and respond to athletes training and competing in the heat. It goes without saying that they recognize the dangers of heat and emphasize that protecting athletes in such weather and environments is the top priority.
ย
The reason why this incident is so regrettable is that many sports organizations and professional organizations have repeatedly warned about it, but it seems that there was no preparation or response to it. This is also a problem of preparation and education for the heat by the leaders, schools, or sports organizations. In particular, with just a little action such as adjusting the training schedule and methods or recognizing the clear warning signs shown by the late player, that incident could have been prevented.
ย
The reason they forced training despite the heat may have been due to the upcoming inter-university competition. Perhaps the inter-university competition took the life of the rugby player. No matter how important the inter-university competition is, it is not something that can be guaranteed with life. The situation where they had to go through excessive training to win cannot be forgiven for anything. This is because sports, victory, and/or the school tradition cannot take priority over the life of young man. It is time to abandon inhumane and ignorant sports now.
ย
Along with condolences to the athlete, the university should conduct an investigation into the truth without reservation. The university should punish those responsible so that such an absurd incident will never happen again. It is also hoped that comprehensive measures to prevent recurrence should be presented.
ย
August 29, 2024
Sports and Human Rights Institute
Time to abandon training in the scorching heat now!
The death of a Korea University rugby player is a disaster after the ignorant belief, strong players can be born under the heat wave.
ย
Another disaster has occurred, that could have been prevented, while the heat is at its peak. Or rather, it is an incident that seems no different from entering fire after pouring oil on the body. This is no different from the ignorant leader and the teamโs attitude and quality that has caused the incident. On August 19, a Korea University rugby player who went to Japan for a training camp died while training in the heat. It could have been prevented. This kind of training should not have been done in the first place.
ย
Athletes are a special group of people as they are very vulnerable to injury and safety. It is often thought that the best athletes have strong physical strength, but this is only an elegant explanation of their superiority compared to ordinary people, and the physical pain and environmental challenges that athletes face every day are placed in front of life-threatening moments beyond the word extreme. Weather and climate, especially heat, are classified as the worst risk factors as known.
ย
Scientists and international expert groups have long warned of the dangers of heat in sports. The International Olympic Committee also strongly agrees the risk of a hot environment and urges a necessity of protecting athletes from the heat. The American College of Sports Medicine, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and other schools and professional sports organizations in the United States have proposed policies to actively intervene and respond to athletes training and competing in the heat. It goes without saying that they recognize the dangers of heat and emphasize that protecting athletes in such weather and environments is the top priority.
ย
The reason why this incident is so regrettable is that many sports organizations and professional organizations have repeatedly warned about it, but it seems that there was no preparation or response to it. This is also a problem of preparation and education for the heat by the leaders, schools, or sports organizations. In particular, with just a little action such as adjusting the training schedule and methods or recognizing the clear warning signs shown by the late player, that incident could have been prevented.
ย
The reason they forced training despite the heat may have been due to the upcoming inter-university competition. Perhaps the inter-university competition took the life of the rugby player. No matter how important the inter-university competition is, it is not something that can be guaranteed with life. The situation where they had to go through excessive training to win cannot be forgiven for anything. This is because sports, victory, and/or the school tradition cannot take priority over the life of young man. It is time to abandon inhumane and ignorant sports now.
ย
Along with condolences to the athlete, the university should conduct an investigation into the truth without reservation. The university should punish those responsible so that such an absurd incident will never happen again. It is also hoped that comprehensive measures to prevent recurrence should be presented.
ย
August 29, 2024
Sports and Human Rights Institute