Modern Pentathlon – Summer Games 2024

The Modern Pentathlon format now combines four events and five sports: riding, fencing, swimming, and laser run (running and shooting). Due to the diverse nature of the events involved, modern pentathlon is an extremely demanding sport that pushes athletes to their mental and physical limits and requires an exceptional variety of skills. Athletes achieve cumulative points in each event according to their performance. In the last event, combined running and shooting, the athletes will start with a handicap time based on the conversion of the total Modern Pentathlon points from the first three events into time (1 point = 1 second). The first athlete to cross the finish line wins the gold medal.

Schedule

Records

Men's Modern Pentathlon:

Historical Dominance:

Hungary has historically been a dominant force in men's modern pentathlon. Hungarian athletes have won numerous gold medals in this event, showcasing their excellence across the five disciplines.

Repeat Gold Medalists:

Athletes like Andrey Moiseev of Russia and Amr Seoud of Egypt are among those who have achieved repeat success in the men's modern pentathlon at the Summer Games.

Women's Modern Pentathlon:

Introduction to the Games:

Women's modern pentathlon was introduced to the Summer Games in Sydney 2000. Since then, female athletes have had the opportunity to compete in this challenging event at the highest level.

Success of British Athletes:

British athletes, including Stephanie Cook and Samantha Murray, have found success in women's modern pentathlon, contributing to their country's strong tradition in the sport.

Did you know that..

1. Modern pentathlon is unique among Games sports as it combines five different disciplines, testing a participant's versatility and proficiency in fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting, and cross-country running – all in a single day.

2. The modern pentathlon competition takes place in a compact one-day format during the Summer Games. Athletes face each of the five disciplines consecutively, with points awarded based on their performance in each event.

3. In the equestrian portion of the modern pentathlon, athletes are paired with horses they have not ridden before. This random selection adds an element of unpredictability, requiring competitors to quickly adapt their riding skills to the temperament and characteristics of unfamiliar horses.

4. The modern pentathlon's unique combined event involves pistol shooting and cross-country running. Athletes must demonstrate precision in shooting before transitioning to a cross-country run. The event culminates with a dramatic final sprint to the finish line.

5. The modern pentathlon was created by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Summer Games, who aimed to design an event that would showcase the skills required by a 19th-century military courier. The combination of skills was seen as a test of a well-rounded and resourceful soldier.