[edit] What is Modern Pentathlon?

Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the modern pentathlon believing the event would test a man's/woman's moral qualities as much as his physical resources and skills, thereby producing the ideal, complete athlete.

The modern pentathlon is an Olympic sport which consists of competition in five events in one gruelling day.

Competitors earn points for their performances in each of the five disciplines: pistol shooting, epee fencing, swimming, riding (equestrian show jumping) and cross-country running.

The total points scored in the first four events determine the starting order for the final event, turning the cross-country running into a handicap event.

The leading competitor sets off first and the intervals between that competitor and those who follow is determined by the points difference between them.