The Lightridge Indoor/Winter Track team had a district meet on Feb. 1. They performed well and placed 4th. However, there was a huge issue concerning the meet. The event was held in below-freezing weather conditions, leading to several Lightridge participants falling ill. Similarly, extreme weather conditions have also been reported to affect other schools in track meets. Ryan Burns, a junior from Heritage High School said “ One time I arrived at a meet there was ice and snow on the track.” This leads to the question if there should be a standard for when a meet should be canceled. 

The safety of the athletes should be the primary concern of any sporting event. In the case of the District meet, the organizers failed to take into account the freezing temperatures and the effect it would have on all the athletes.  High school athletes are not professional athletes and should not be put in below freezing weather conditions due to the lack of proper precautions taken by the organizers.

 So why dont athletes just stay warm until they run their event? Not all schools have tents, blankets, or heaters to keep their athletes warm. This leads to athletes staying under the bleachers or staying in the bathrooms. Regardless as to if the athletes have a warm place to stay, the weather conditions can still have a significant impact on the performance of the runners. When the temperature drops below freezing, the muscles in the body tighten up, leading to an increased risk of injury. This can not only affect the performance of the athletes but also lead to long-term injuries that can have a detrimental effect on their careers. Moreover, cold weather can also cause breathing difficulties and reduce lung function, which can further impact the performance of the athletes.

It is crucial to have specific guidelines in place that dictate when to cancel or postpone track meets due to weather. These guidelines should consider not only the temperature but also factors such as precipitation, and humidity levels. Having stricter weather guidelines in place not only ensures the safety and well-being of the athletes but also creates accountability and responsibility among school administrators and coaches. It sends a message that schools prioritizes the health and safety of its students, and are willing to take necessary measures to ensure it.   Photo Creds- Janet Johnson