This year Tokyo was seven degrees warmer on average in August than Sapporo.

Given the horrible conditions at the recent World Athletics Championships in Doha, Coates said the IOC would not risk athlete safety despite major backlash in Tokyo in recent days.

“It’s not a matter if the Tokyo government insist [on keeping the events in Tokyo], the decision has been taken,” Coates said. “The IOC executive board is the competent authority to take a decision such as this and the IOC board has a responsibility under the Olympic charter to always put the health of the athletes first.

“We didn’t want Tokyo to be remembered for similar images as you would have seen in Doha in the marathon and the race walking events.

“In four of the five events in Doha there were a record number of athletes who didn’t finish. In the women’s marathon 28 of the 68 didn’t finish. You don’t want Tokyo remembered for this.”

Multiple marathon athletes collapsed in oppressive conditions in Doha, with former world record holder Haile Gebrselassie saying: “people could have died in such weather conditions”.

Both Olympic marathons have been moved to 6am; the 50-kilometre race walk will begin at 5.30am; and both 20km racewalks will get under way at 6am in Sapporo.

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Coates said marathon medal ceremonies will be held in Tokyo, with both men and women for the first time receiving their medals at the closing ceremony.

Racewalkers will also pick up medals in Tokyo at the athletics stadium.

The IOC will sit down with the Tokyo government and organisers to discuss compensation for not only the city but families of athletes, as well discussing the possibility of street parades on the day of the closing ceremony and programs to support underprivileged children’s sporting programs.

Koike voiced her displeasure and will meet further with the IOC but her plea to keep the events looks futile.

“Myself, as well as the citizens, could not help that this was quite sudden and out of the blue and they were disappointed as well,” Koike said. “Unfortunately we have not had a compelling explanation given as yet either to the citizens or to myself and therefore I also have accountability to our citizens.”