For Isabell Werth, the most decorated Olympic equestrian athlete of all time, it is simple: the horse is everything. “Without a top horse you have nothing, you are just a rider, nothing more,” said the German who has won six gold and four silver medals in dressage during a career which has, to date, spanned five Olympic Games.

Olympic rings champion Eleftherios Petrounias was fully focused on defending his title in Tokyo this year but, having had major shoulder reconstruction in late-2018, he is confident the extra 12 months he now has to prepare for the Games is bad news for his rivals. 

IOC President Thomas Bach attended the final day of the 2nd European Games in Minsk (Belarus), which came to a close on Sunday.  

The reigning Olympic team show jumping champion, Normandy rider Pénélope Leprévost helped the French team qualify for the Tokyo Games. For her, the postponement by one year is above all an opportunity to prepare her horses well and give herself even more choices when she goes to defend her title in the Japanese capital.

Kohei Uchimura of Japan competes on the pommel horse during the Men's Individual All-Around final on Day 5 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 10, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Arthur Mariano of Brazil competes on the pommel horse during the Men's Individual All-Around final on Day 5 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 10, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Christopher Brooks of the United States of America competes on the pommel horse during the Men's Individual All-Around final on Day 5 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 10, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.