 |
 |
|
|
|
Modern Pentathlon
|
The modern pentathlon is a sports contest consisting of 5 events, hence the name pentathlon. The events are épée fencing, pistol shooting, swimming, a show jumping course on horseback, and a cross-country run.
The modern pentathlon was invented by the Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games. Coubertin created the contest to simulate the experience of a cavalry soldier: he must ride, fight with pistol and sword, swim, and run.
The event was first contested at the 1912 Olympic Games, and has been on the Olympic program since. Future American World War II General George S. Patton finished fifth in this first contest.
A team event was added to the Olympic Games in 1952 and discontinued in 1992. An event for women was added in 2000. In non-Olympic years, a World Championship is held, instigated in 1949.
The sport is governed by the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), the International Modern Pentathlon Union.
Olympic champions
Individual men
1912 Gösta Lilliehook SWE
1920 Gustaf Dyrssen SWE
1924 Bo Lindman SWE
1928 Sven Thofelt SWE
1932 Johan Oxenstierna SWE
1936 Gotthardt Handrick GER
1948 Willy Grut SWE
1952 Lars Hall SWE
1956 Lars Hall SWE
1960 Ferenc Nemeth HUN
1964 Ferenc Torok HUN
1968 Björn Ferm SWE
1972 András Balczo HUN
1976 Janusz Pyciak-Peciak POL
1980 Anatoli Starostin USSR
1984 Daniele Masala ITA
1988 Janus Martinek HUN
1992 Arkadiusz Skrzypaszek POL
1996 Aleksandr Parygin KAZ
2000 Dmitri Svatkovski RUS
|
|
|
|
