Two venues were used: Musashino Forest Sport Plaza (fencing) and Tokyo Stadium (swimming, horse-riding and combined running and shooting).

[12][13] The horse named Saint Boy was randomly assigned from a pool of 18, refused to jump three barriers in the second half of the equestrian course.

Schleu's trainer Kim Raisner was sent home from the Olympics after footage showed her seemingly punch the horse for not performing in a desired manner.

[16] Both Schleu and Raisner faced legal action, with the German Animal Welfare Association filing a criminal complaint against the pair on 13 August 2021.

[18] Russian modern pentathlete Gulnaz Gubaydullina started off by showing the best result in swimming, setting an Olympic Record (2:07.31).