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Tuesday, September 19
Modern Pentathlon Fan Guide
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IN THE CROSSHAIRS |
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ESPN.com puts Olympic modern pentathlon In the Crosshairs with our interactive fan guide feature. Check out each sport's fan guide for more In the Crosshairs looks at the Olympic sports.
Pentathlon in the
Crosshairs
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Olympic competition dates: Sept. 30-Oct. 1
Venues: Pavilion 2 (shooting, fencing), Aquatic Centre (swimming), Baseball Stadium (riding, running)
The outlook
This is the
second Olympics that the event will be held in one day, compared to
four to six days. Sweden dominated the event that incorporates
shooting, fencing, swimming, show jumping and a 3000 meter run,
until the 1960s when Hungary and Russia began to dominate.
Aleksandr Parygin of Kazakstan won the gold in Atlanta.
The finer points
How the sport works: Shooting, fencing, swimming, riding and running are combined into one sport with the athlete competing against the clock in all but fencing, where athletes compete one-on-one using épée. The athlete with the most points leads off the final 3,000 meter cross-country run, with the other athletes following in staggered positions relative to their point standings. The first three to cross the finish line win the medals.
Format: Thirty-two athletes -- 16 men and 16 women selected via qualifying tournaments this spring -- will contest the individual event in one day.
Olympic debut: This year women will be participating in their first modern pentathlon.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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