Modern pentathlon

Modern pentathlon

Highest governing body	Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM)
Characteristics
Contact	Semi-contact
Type	Fencing, swimming, show jumping, obstacle racing, shooting, and running sport
Presence
Olympic	Part of Summer Olympic programme since 1912

The modern pentathlon is an Olympic multisport that currently consists of fencing (one-touch épée), freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, laser pistol shooting, and cross country running. Equestrian will be replaced by a form of obstacle course racing after the 2024 Summer Olympics.^[1]

The event was first held in 1912, inspired by the traditional pentathlon held during the ancient Olympics, and designed to model skills needed by a soldier of that time. It has been a continuous part of the Summer Olympics since 1912, and a world championship has been held annually since 1949.

The rules of the modern pentathlon have changed several times, especially in the past three decades. The event has been condensed from five days to one day and further down to two hours. The latest structure, as of the 2024 Olympics, consists of separate events for fencing, swimming, and equestrian, points from which determine each athlete's starting time in the final event, the laser-run.

The initial program of the 2028 Olympics did not include modern pentathlon, but the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India, voted to approve the inclusion of the sport with its new format where obstacle racing replaces equestrian.

Modern pentathlon’s governing body, Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), administers the international sport with member federations in more than 130 countries.^[2]