Hello and welcome to
Telegraph Sport's live coverage of day 12 at the Tokyo Olympics, where the women's marathon swim is currently underway.
A blazing sun. Drenching humidity. Choppy waters. Gusting winds. Two dozen bodies diving in together for two hours of swimming mixed with a stray elbow here, an occasional kick there.
Marathon swimming is as much a test of mental endurance as it is physical conditioning over a 10-kilometre course. The outcome is often decided by weather and water conditions, as well as strategy and a furious sprint to the finish.
Varying conditions appeal to marathon swimmers because of the challenges they present. But the potential for dangerous air and water temperatures had some swimmers, coaches and federations urging Olympic organizers to move the races from Tokyo Bay to a cooler location.