Summer Games/ Modern Pentathlon Tickets

The modern pentathlon, invented by the Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, consists of five event: épée fencing, pistol shooting, 200 m freestyle swimming, a show jumping course on horseback, and a cross-country run. It is important to differentiate the epithet “modern” from the ancient athletics pentathlon, because none of the events of modern pentathlon were part of the ancient Olympics.

The event was first contested at the 1912 Olympic Games, and was won by a Swede named Gösta Lilliehöök. A team event was added to the Olympic Games in 1952 and discontinued in 1992. A women's event was not included until the 2000 Games. Previously the competition took place over four or five days. The modern pentathlon returned to its true character at the Atlanta Games in 1996 with a one-day event. Both women and men compete in this sport.

Modern pentathlon competitions at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing will be held on August 21 and August 22 at the Olympic Sports Center Stadium (running, equestrian), Ying Tung Natatorium (swimming), and the Olympic Green Convention Centre (fencing, shooting).

2 sets of medals will be awarded in the following events: Modern Pentathlon Men, Modern Pentathlon Women.