Fact File
The Modern pentathlon
The event was introduced at the 1912 Olympics as a test of military skills. It was designed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games. The original concept was of a military courier setting out on horseback to carry a message. Then he has to fight a duel with epees, use his pistol, swim across a river, and run through the woods to reach his goal. Only Army officers were allowed to participate in 1912. Scoring was originally based on a competitor's placing in the various events, with the lowest score winning. It is now based on a scoring table similar to the one used in track and field for the decathlon. Standards are set for each event and a competitor receives 1000 points for equalling the standard. Points are added if the standard is exceeded and subtracted if the performance falls below the standard.

The events have changed since 1912. The equestrian event was originally a 5000 metre cross-country ride but is now a 400 metre stadium jumping course. The swimming event has been cut from 300 to 200 metres and the cross-country running event from 4000 to 3000 metres. The shooting event, originally a pistol shot at a turning target has become a 10 metre air pistol shot at a stationary target.

The fencing portion of the modern pentathlon is a round robin tournament, with a single touch deciding each match.

Competition was dominated by military officers until the 1950s when the International Union of Modern Pentathlon and Biathlon was founded. Civilians were invited to enter the Olympic trials for the first time in 1956.

Women began competing in the modern pentathlon in the late 1970s but the Millennium Games is the first time it has been an Olympic sport for women.