The first Swede to compete in this year's Olympic athletics was Vidar Johansson, in the 3,000 meter hurdles.
The 24-year-old, who passed the Olympic qualifying limit just two hours before the end of the qualifying period in June, started decently, but just over halfway into the race he fell far behind in the field.
14 seconds from the record time
When he finished, he had only three of 15 runners behind him, and lay down on the track - completely exhausted in the hot Tokyo morning.
His time was 8.32.86 - just over 14 seconds worse than the personal record he set a month ago.
The heat was won by the Ethiopian Lamecha Girma in the time 8.09.83.
Two more Swedes participate in the obstacle competition: Emil Blomberg and Simon Sundström. They compete later on Friday morning.