Heat and humidity, two words to strike fear into the hearts of even the most accomplished Olympic athletes. Covid notwithstanding, it's the biggest challenge facing Team GB as they look to replicate a medal-haul from Rio 2016 that saw them finish second on the overall table, above the sporting super-power of China. Team GB won 67 medals at Rio 2016Dr Victoria Downie, a Performance Scientist with EIS, says heat training helps athletes both physically and psychologically. So the higher the humidity, the less sweat we can evaporate which makes it really hard to cool down. Arsenal's Kim Little is part of Hege Riise's Team GB squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic football women's tournamentThe Team GB Women's Football team have taken rehydration to another level as they chase a first Olympic medal, by analysing sweat from each of the players to create individual drinks to replenish salt and sugar levels during recovery.

Source: Sky sports July 21, 2021 04:52 UTC