Modern pentathlon

The modern pentathlon is an exciting Olympic sport that includes five different events: fencing, freestyle swimming, obstacle course racing, laser pistol shooting, and cross country running. It began in 1912, inspired by the games of ancient Greece, and was meant to reflect the skills needed by soldiers at that time. Since then, it has been a regular part of the Summer Olympics.

Over the years, the rules of the modern pentathlon have changed. Most importantly, the event called equestrian show jumping was replaced by obstacle course racing in 2025. The competition used to last five days but is now finished in just two hours. In the 2024 Olympics, athletes from Egypt and Hungary achieved great success, with Ahmed El-Gendy winning the first Olympic gold medal for an African athlete in this sport.

The modern pentathlon will continue to be part of the Olympics, with the new format approved for the 2028 Games. The sport is managed worldwide by the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne, which has members in over 130 countries.

Format

The modern pentathlon has changed a lot over time. In the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a new event called obstacle course racing will join the sport, replacing the horse-riding part. This change aims to make the sport more modern and easier for everyone to understand.

Here’s how the competition will work:

• Fencing, ranking round: Every athlete fences against every other athlete using a special kind of sword called an electric épée. The goal is to hit the opponent’s body once. If neither hits within one minute, both get a defeat. Winning more bouts gives more points.
• Obstacle: Athletes race one-on-one over a short course with eight challenges like steps, big wheels, and balance beams. They must finish without touching the ground outside special areas. Faster times earn more points.
• Swimming: Athletes swim 200 meters freestyle. Faster swims earn more points.
• Fencing, bonus round: Based on the first fencing round, athletes face off in pairs. Winning gives points and moves you to the next challenge.
• Laser-run: Finally, athletes run 3000 meters and stop four times to shoot at targets with a laser pistol. Their starting times depend on their scores from the earlier events. The order they cross the finish line decides the final results.

In the 2024 Olympics, there were two rounds for each gender: semifinals to decide who could compete in the finals, and then the finals to decide the winners. The first fencing round was used for both rounds.

History

The modern pentathlon was created by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games. It was first held at the 1912 Olympic Games and has been part of the Olympics ever since. The sport was inspired by the skills needed by soldiers long ago.

The modern pentathlon includes five different events. It was only for men until the 2000 Games, when women were allowed to compete too. Today, it is also part of the Youth Olympic Games and has annual world championships.

Format changes over time

Modern pentathlon has changed a lot since it began. In the fencing part, an extra round was added in 2015, but it was taken away in 2025. The swimming distance got shorter over time, from 300 metres to just 100 metres by 2026.

The part with horses was changed in 1972 and then replaced completely after 2024 with an obstacle course race. In the shooting and running part, laser pistols replaced regular pistols in 2011, making the sport safer. The running distance changed several times, and in 2008, shooting and running were combined into one event called the "laser run." This event decides the final winner based on points from earlier parts.

Scoring also changed over the years, and by 2024, all events happen in one place over 90 minutes. The switch from horses to obstacle courses was decided in 2021 and will be used in the 2028 Olympics. Some athletes liked the change, while others wanted to keep the horse part but with better rules for the animals.

Popularity

In 2021, modern pentathlon had fewer TV viewers than any other Olympic sport and also ranked lowest in how much people talked about it online. A coach from Greece said the sport was "on the edge" and near the bottom in things like ticket sales and how many people watch or join in. In 2022, a sports expert wrote that the sport "suffered from a lack of participation in the sport, as well as limited public interest".

However, a reporter in 2024 said the shorter, 90-minute version used in the Olympics was "fast and action-packed". She also noted that changes planned for 2028, like replacing one part of the sport, were meant to help it stay relevant today.

A study in 2021 found that starting modern pentathlon was more expensive than most other Olympic sports. It cost about US$13,580 for the needed gear and places to practice, while many other sports cost less than $500 to begin.

KXAS-TV Quartz