Olympic Games
Events > Olympics > Summer > Sports > Pentathlon
Modern Pentathlon at the Olympics
The sport of Modern Pentathlon includes five events held over two days. These events combine all of the aspects of traditional combat: mastery of the sword, precision marksmanship, ability to control cavalry both in the confines of the arena and in the cross-country, and the physical stamina to cross many miles of both land and water.
The events are:
- Shooting — a 4.5mm air pistol at a 10 meter distance, 20 shots.
- Fencing — using the epee in a round-robin competition.
- Swimming — 200m freestyle swim.
- Riding — Show jumping, 350-450 meter course with 12-15 obstacles.
- Running — 3000m cross-country course. In this final event, the competitors start with time penalties according to how many points they scored in previous events, with the leader starting first. The first athlete across the line is the winner overall.
History
The Pentathlon was an ancient Greek athletics event consisting of five competitions each representing techniques useful in battle. (more about ancient Olympic events)
The five events of the ancient Pentathlon were:
- Long Jump - like modern triple jump, using weights as a counterbalance
- Javelin - A leather strap was used to throw the javelin
- Discus - five throws, furthest wins
- Wrestling - same rules as modern equivalent
- Stadion - a short sprint foot race of about 180 meters, the winner was the champion of the game
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George Patton, who went on to become US General George C Patton, was 5th in the modern pentathlon in 1912. His shooting let him down.
Athletes
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In Mexico City 1968, Swedish pentathlete Hans-Grunner Liljenwall is the first to be disqualified for drug use, having tested positive for excessive alcohol (more firsts).
- The best all-time performing Modern Pentathlete at the Olympic Games (results up until 2012) is Hungarian András Balczó who won 3 gold and 2 silver between 1960–1972. No other athlete has won three gold medals. See more on the Greatest Modern Pentathlete at the Olympics.
Related Pages
- Pentathlon was an event at the ancient Olympic Games
- See more about the Olympic Games indvidual sports of Fencing, Swimming, Shooting, Equestrian and Athletics
- See more on the Greatest Modern Pentathlete at the Olympics.
- List of Olympic Sports
