MODERN OLYMPIC EVENTS — MODERN PENTATHLON

 

 
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A young French cavalry officer of the 19th century was sent on horseback to deliver a message. He rode across the uneven terrain, through enemy lines, and was confronted by a soldier with his sword drawn. Challenged to a duel, the officer won, only to have his horse shot out from under him by another enemy soldier.

After felling that soldier with a single shot, the officer ran on. He swam across a raging river, and then finally he delivered the message. So, legend has it, was born the modern pentathlon.

The brainchild of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, the event was based upon the unlucky officer and introduced into the Stockholm Games of 1912. Only remotely resembling the ancient pentathlon inspired by the warmongering Spartans, modern pentathletes shoot, fence, swim, compete in show jumping and run - five events testing endurance as well as athletic versatility.

Previously held over four to five days, the modern pentathlon reverted to its true character at the Atlanta Games in 1996 with a one-day event. The pattern continued at Sydney and will be the same during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Shooting
The pentathletes have 40 seconds to fire 20 shots from an air pistol at a 17cm-square target from 10 metres.

Fencing
Fencing follows, with a round-robin competition between each participant.

Swimming
Swimming is third, a freestyle race over 200 metres, with athletes seeded in heats according to their personal best times.

Riding
Once they have dried off, the pentathletes head to the show jumping ring, where they have 20 minutes to get to know the horse before riding.

Running
The final event is the 3000m run, with the pentathletes set off at intervals corresponding to their points so the first person across the line wins the gold medal.

Both women and men compete in this sport.