Modern pentathlon

Modern pentathlon consists of five tests held in one day: épée fencing, a 200-metre swim, an obstacle course (replacing show jumping on horseback from 2028) and the "laser run", which combines laser-pistol shooting with running.

History

The sport was created by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics, who imagined a cavalry officer caught behind enemy lines fighting his way back with sword and pistol, on horseback, swimming and running. It has been held at every Olympics since 1912; the UIPM was founded in 1948 and world championships have been held since 1949.

Major competitions

The Olympic Games, the UIPM World Championships and World Cup series and the European Championships.

Modern pentathlon in the Turkic world

Hungary is one of the strongest nations in the sport: András Balczó won three Olympic golds and two silvers, and the Hungarian team has been Olympic champion several times. At Paris 2024 Michelle Gulyás won the women's title with a world-record 1,461 points.