Modern pentathlon
The modern pentathlon is an Olympic sport consisting of fencing (one-touch épée), freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting, and cross country running. The event is inspired by the traditional pentathlon held during the ancient Olympics. The modern pentathlon was first held in 1912, and its rules have changed several times over the years. The latest structure, as of the 2020 Olympics, consists of three separate events for fencing, swimming, and equestrian, which determine each athlete's starting time in the final event. The last event, called the laser-run, alternates four legs of laser pistol shooting followed by an 800 m run (for 3200 m in total).
Conclusion of the men's event at the 2004 Summer Olympics | |
| Highest governing body | Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | semi-contact |
| Type | Fencing, swimming, show jumping, shooting, and running sport |
| Presence | |
| Olympic | Part of Summer Olympic programme since 1912 |
The sport has been a feature of the Summer Olympic Games since 1912, despite several attempts to remove it, though it is not in the initial proposed program for the 2028 Games. A world championships for modern pentathlon has been held annually since 1949.
The governing body, Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), administers the international sport in more than 90 countries.