4 . The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms for most but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or people with existing health problems. Most infected patients have recovered from it so far.

The leader of the IOCS coordination commission for the Tokyo Olympics says there is no May deadline to cancel the games and he remains confident the event will go ahead despite sports coming to a stop globally amid the coronavirus epidemic. John Coates, who will have to go into government-mandated self-isolation when he returns to Australia this week from Olympic business in Europe, told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper: “It’s all proceeding to start on the 24th of July.” Dick Pound, a former IOC vice president, said that the end of May seemed to be a possible deadline for the IOC to make a call on the Tokyo Olympics. But Coates told that the IOC didn't recognize the deadline and he thought Pound had backed away from it, too.

The latest measures, which include bans on gatherings of more than 500 people, came in the wake of the suspensionz（暂停） of sporting events in parts of the world affected by the virus outbreak. That has caused postponements and uncertainty for qualifying in some Olympic sports, although the IOC and Tokyo organizers have consistently said the games will go ahead as scheduled. As for athletes traveling to Japan from affected countries. Coates said some national Olympic committees were already preparing. “The Chinese are probably the best organized,” he told the SMH. “The Chinese are in various parts of Europe and the last I heard is they're bringing them all together in a university in Paris where they'll be fully contained, 600 of them, and they will go straight from there, straight into Japan. They won’t put anyone on a plane who has got coronavirus.

5 . For many Americans, regular exercise is a complicated commitment—one made at the beginning of January that fades out within weeks or months. Busy work schedules, a lack of motivation and unease towards exercising in public all contribute to the discouraging statistics that only around a quarter of adults exercise enough per week.

This month, enterptiser Trent Ward and designer Yves Behar are uncovering their design for a mirror fitness system, Forme. Forme is reflective like a mirror, uses machine learning to heighten workouts, and offers attachments including ankle belts, rope handles and a heart rate monitor. When not in use, the two arms that form the resistance pulley (滑轮) system fold behind it and the display screen disappears, turning Forme into a simple full—length mirror.

Interest in home exercise has particularly increased recently around the world. Home workout apps have seen a significant uptick in downloads, and trendy brands like Peloton have rolled out free virtual workouts for everyone stuck indoors. One French athlete who was kept away from others chose to run an entire marathon on his 23-foot balcony.

But beyond the new restrictions affecting daily workout routines, Ward and Behar are tapping into the same concerns that have made every home workout appealing：the ability to save time and sweat in the privacy of one’s home. In an age of personal metrics (衡量标准)--where one can measure their heart rate and sleep cycles with smart watches and train for marathons with AI smart sneakers----Ward and Behar want to improve exercise through machine learning. Forme evaluates performance and adjusts weights accordingly. Easy access to one’s own performance data also makes it easier to track that progress and stay motivated.

Though it’s too soon to tell if mirror gyms will be the trend of the late 2010s to 2020s, Behar explained that having a screen in the home can become the basis for more than just fitness, such as shopping or telemedicine.

6 . Swimming in water temperatures of 41 degrees F and below with air temperatures between 6.8 degrees F and 4 degrees F, wearing just a swimsuit, a cap, and a pair of glasses may sound foolish to some. But that is precisely what 400 athletes from 33 countries had to bear in the International Swimming Championships held in Murmansk, Russia.

Organized by the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA), the event was held in a 25-meter-long swimming pool created by carving out slabs (平板) of the 2 foot thick surface layer of ice on Lake Semyonovakaya with chain saws (锯子).

Each event also has a strict time limit. Due to the danger of the low body temperature, competitors who are in the water must be pulled out in time. Swimmers do not dive in. Instead, they go into the water slowly using ladders. They must also stay flat in the water at all times and are forbidden to perform turns which could endanger the organs. Upon completing their race, swimmers are quickly led to a recovery center. Once their body temperature stabilizes, they settle down for a hot bath.

Jony Warneken said, “There are three reasons why a lot of us do this. There’s the physical challenge of actually swimming in water that is below five degrees. We love being out in nature. And the third thing is that the friendship among the swimmers is fantastic.”

Jade Perry said, “It’s fantastic when I get in the cold water — I’m just free. The most important is that I’m not worrying about work, my house, or anything like that in my life. I’m in the water and I’m just thinking about swimming.”

Ice swimming is enjoyed by a few brave souls. However, Ram Barkai, the founder of IISA, is trying to convince Chinese officials to include it as a competitive event in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. While he even persuaded the decision makers to come to the Murmansk Championships, there is no word yet on if he met with any success.

"Pick up the pace!" said Amy's husband. "But I can't!" Amy said, her heart beating quickly inside. "I can't go any faster! Her husband encouraged her. "Yes, you can! You're making progress every day.”

To help Amy stay healthy, her husband had been running with her for over two years. Several years ago, Amy could barely walk down the stairs of her apartment building due to fatness caused by eating disorders. She realized the problem after a failed job interview and began walking to improve her ability to move. At first, she could walk for only 15 minutes at a time. But she pushed herself every day, walking 5 minutes longer than she did the day before until she walked for an hour and eventually two. For three years, Amy kept her walking habit, slowly and painstakingly building her body shape. Then she changed her walking shoes to running shoes about two years ago and became an excellent runner.

In March 2001, an advertisement invited people to nominate（提名）an ordinary person who inspired them to bring the Olympic flame to Salt Lake City as torch bearers（火炬手）or support runners.（Support runners serve as “guardians of the flame" and run with torch bearers along the journey.）Amy's experiences touched her husband, so he nominated her to be a torch bearer. The possibility to be selected was low, but Amy wanted to try.

Running taught Amy the importance of training for a race. She pictured herself running a race and crossing the finish line. For months, she ran through her neighborhood carrying a broken-off broom handle, feeling the weight of the torch. She waved at her neighbors, pretending they were cheering crowds. She also printed a picture of a torch bearer wearing the white uniform, replaced the face with a picture of hers, and put it onto her refrigerator door.

Every day, Amy imagined herself as a torch bearer. She was training for a historic running event. On September 26th, while on her daily run through her neighborhood, an express package arrived.

       "One of today's torch bearers can't run her part, " announced the relay organizer.

9 . The annual marathon in my town occurred as scheduled. My job was to follow behind the runners in an ambulance in case any of them needed medical attention. As the athletes began to pace themselves, the front runners started to disappear. It was then that my eyes were drawn to the woman in blue running shorts and a baggy white T-shirt.

I knew we were already watching our “last runner”. Her feet were turned in, yet her left knee was turned out. Her legs were so crippled and bent that it seemed impossible for her to walk, let alone run a marathon.

The driver and I watched in silence as she slowly moved forward. We would move forward a little bit, then stop and wait for her to gain some distance. Then we’d slowly move forward a little bit more. As I watched her struggle to put one foot in front of the other, I found myself breathing for her and urging her forward. I wanted her to stop, and at the same time, I prayed that she wouldn’t.

Finally, she was the only runner left in sight. I sat on the edge of my seat and watched with respect and amazement as she pushed forward with sheer determination through the last miles. When the finish line came into sight, the cheering crowds had long gone home. Yet, standing straight and proud waited a man. He was holding one end of a ribbon tied to a post. She slowly crossed through, leaving both ends of the ribbon fluttering (飘动) behind her.

I don’t know this woman’s name, but that day she became a part of my life — a part I often depend on. For her, it wasn’t about beating the other runners or winning a prize. It was about finishing what she had set out to do. When I think things are too difficult or I get those “I-just-can’t-do-it,” I think of the last runner. Then I realize how easy the task before me really is.

10 . The Dezeen x Samsung Out of the Box Competition is a global contest that challenges contestants to design innovative objects for the home that can be made by repurposing cardboard packaging. It's inspired by Samsung's Eco-Packaging, in which some of its televisions are shipped to customers.

Entries will be judged on how original the idea is, how visually appealing the object is and how useful it would be in the home.

The competition is free to enter for anyone over 18 around the world. Entries from individuals and teams will both be accepted.

Contestants will need to submit their entry via the form down-loadable here: http://www. dezeen.com/samsung-out-of-the-box-competition-entry-form/. The following information should be included in the form: the name of the design, a description of its concept (maximum 300 words), one to ten images showing the object in use in the home. A video or animation (动画) displaying the design and its assembly (组装) is optional.

All entries must be received by 23:59 BST on October 29, 2020.

In November 2020, Dezeen and Samsung will select a shortlist of the best designs, which will be published on the Dezeen website. In December 2020, five finalists will then be exhibited at IFA Berlin, one of the world's largest trade fairs for consumer electronics. Entrants behind the top five designs will be invited to attend the IFA to present their designs to an English-speaking jury.

The competition is awarding $20,000 in total prize money, which will be divided among the top five finalists. The overall winner will receive a top prize of $10,000.