Governing body UIPM | Events 2 (men: 1; women: 1) | |
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Modern pentathlon is a sports contest created especially for the Summer Olympic Games by the founder of the modern Games, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, and was first contested in 1912. Coubertin was inspired by the pentathlon event in Ancient Olympic Games, which was modeled after the skills of the ideal soldier at the time.
The modern pentathlon simulates the experience of a 19th-century cavalry soldier behind enemy lines: he/she must ride an unfamiliar horse, fight with pistol and sword, swim, and run. Therefore, the modern pentathlon event comprises the five sport disciplines:
Events
Modern pentathlon has been on the Olympic program continuously since 1912. A women's event was not included until the 2000 Games.
References
Modern pentathlon at the Summer Olympics Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA