Pentathlon

The pentathlon was first in Ancient Greece, and included the discus and javelin throw.

A pentathlon is a sports contest with five different events. The name comes from two Greek words. Pente means five and athlon means competition. The first pentathlon was in Ancient Greece and was part of the Ancient Olympic Games. The five events were long jump, javelin throw, and discus throw, followed by the stadion (a short foot race) and wrestling.

Modern pentathlon

The modern pentathlon is a sports contest that includes five events. They are pistol shooting, fencing, 200 m freestyle swimming, show jumping, and a 3 km cross-country run. It was invented by Pierre de Coubertin.

The event was first held at the 1912 Olympic Games. It was won by Swedish athlete Gösta Lilliehöök. Since 1949 there is a yearly World Championship unless there is an Olympic Game.

Pentathlon Media

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  This depiction of an ancient pentathlete dates to the Hellenistic period, c. the 1st century BCE. Walters Art Museum, Baltimore.

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  Halteres were held by athletes in the ancient long jump to push themselves further.

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  All competitors face each other once in the fencing event.

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  Tia Hellebaut was the 2008 World Indoor pentathlon gold medallist.

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  Action shot of Australian field pentathlete Wayne Bell sprinting in the long jump event during pentathlon competition at the 2000 Summer Paralympics

Related pages

• Biathlon