Pentathlon bosses have assembled an Avengers-like squad of the sport's greats to fix the problems exposed by the Tokyo Olympic horse punching saga

• Modern pentathlon authorities have put together a group of the sport's greats to address concerns about horse welfare.
• It comes after a horse was punched at the Tokyo Olympics.
• The group is chaired by 1976 Olympic champion Janusz Pyciak-Peciak, and features five Olympians.

Modern pentathlon authorities have put together a group of some of the sport's biggest names to urgently address concerns about animal welfare after a horse was punched at the Tokyo Olympics.

German coach Kim Raisner was thrown out of the games after she lashed out at rider Annika Schleu's horse, Saint Boy, during the show-jumping round of the women's event last month.

She could also be heard urging Schleu to "really hit" the horse, which had been refusing to jump or trot.

After proposing a new set of rules to protect horses in light of Raisner's actions, the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) has now formed a working group consisting of some of the biggest names in the sport to further address the problem.

Chaired by 1976 Olympic champion Janusz Pyciak-Peciak and including 2000 Olympic champion Stephanie Cook of Great Britain, as well as three other Olympians and a world champion, the group will meet regularly in the coming weeks.

Its stated aim is to "review the riding competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and discuss a range of measures designed to prevent any repeat of the distressing scenes that occurred."

The group also features some of the world's leading modern pentathlon coaches, technical experts, and course designers.

It will also be supported by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), which is chaired by Ingmar De Vos.

"I am delighted that we have the support of the FEI along with our own expertise within Modern Pentathlon as we work towards solutions that result in improved horse welfare and athlete safety in our sport," UIPM President Dr Schormann said in a statement.

"I am grateful to FEI President Ingmar de Vos and very pleased that we are entering a new era of cooperation between our two International Federations."