- Pentathlon Explained - Pentathlon Events - Related Events -
Getting Started The Olympic sport of Modern Pentathlon comprises
the contemporary sports of pistol shooting, fencing, swimming,
horse riding and running. The sport was introduced at the 1912
Olympics by the founder of the modern Olympic Games, Pierre de
Coubertin, and embraced the spirit of the Pentathlon of the
ancient Greek Games, where the five sports were running,
jumping, javelin, discus and wrestling. The choice of the five
diverse and unrelated sports that make up the Modern Pentathlon
arose out of the romantic, tough adventures of a liaison officer
whose horse was brought down in enemy territory. Having defended
himself with his pistol and sword, he swims across a raging
river and delivers the message on foot. Since the sport was
created it has undergone many changes in format. Originally
taking place over 5 days the sport changed to a one day format
for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Women competed in the
Olympics for the first time at Sy