2008 Beijing Olympics - Modern Pentathlon

Olympic Sports Center Stadium (running, equestrian)
Olympic Green Convention Center (fencing, shooting)
Ying Tung Natatorium (swimming)
Beijing, China

The Modern Pentathlon became an official Olympic sport in 1912

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Modern Pentathlon

The Modern Pentathlon is a contest consisting of five events: fencing, pistol shooting, 200m freestyle swimming, a show jumping course on horseback, and a cross-country run. It's called the "Modern" Pentathlon because none of the events in the modern pentathlon were part of the ancient Olympics.

Invented by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic games, he modeled the modern pentathlon after the skills that a 19th century soldier would need if trapped behind enemy lines (ride an unfamiliar horse, fight with a pistol and a sword, swim and run).

Fencing - The fencing competition is a round robin format in which each competitor faces the other in one minute rounds. The first to score a hit wins. If neither scores, the bout is scored a double loss.

Pistol Shooting - Competitors shoot a 4.5 mm air pistol in the standing position from 10 m distance as a stationary target. Each competitor has 20 shots and 40 seconds for each shot.

Swimming - Competitors swim 200m freestyle for the fastest time.

Horse Riding - Competitors are paired with horses in a drawing 20 minutes before the start of the race, and must compete in equestrian show jumping over a 350-450 meter course with between 12 and 15 obstacles.

Cross-Country Run - Competitors are ranked according to their score from the first four disciplines and given staggered start times, with the leader going first, in a 3000m cross country race. The first person to cross the finish line is the overall winner of the pentathlon.

All-Time Modern Pentathlon Medals

Hungary - 9 Gold, 8 Silver, 4 Bronze - 21 Total

Sweden - 9 Gold, 7 Silver, 5 Bronze - 21 Total

Soviet Union - 5 Gold, 5 Silver, 5 Bronze - 15 Total

Followed by Poland, Italy and Russia

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