Modern Pentathlon is a 5 phase Olympic sport consisting of Fencing, Swimming, Riding, Shooting and Running. This sport is referred to as the “true Olympic sport” and the “sport that most accurately conveys the ideals of Olympism”.
Modern Pentathlon is an educational sport. This was the primary wish of its creator, Pierre de Coubertin. The Modern Pentathlon, introduced at the 5th Olympiad in Stockholm in 1912 (and celebrated 100 years at London 2012), embraced the spirit of its ancient counterpart. A complete sport, on the physical side – Swimming & Running are the basic disciplines; on the mental side – Shooting requires stress control and a precise technique; on the intellectual side – Fencing requires adaptability and intelligence; Riding an unknown horse requires a mix of adaptability, self-control and courage.
The choice of the five 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 Sydney in 2000. In 2008 the International Federation for Modern Pentathlon voted for the shooting and running to be combined and in 2010 the shooting format was changed from air pistols to laser shooting