Modern Pentathlon in Olympics

Modern Pentathlon games in Olympics 2008 will be played in 21 August and 22 August in Beijing. The venues will be Fencing Hall, Ying Tung Natatorium and Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.

Schedule of Events

21 August 2008, Thursday

08:30 - 20:40
Events to be held are Men’s Shooting and Fencing in Fencing Hall, Men’s Swimming in Ying Tung Natatorium, and Men’s Riding and Running at Olympic Sports Centre Stadium. Men’s Medal Ceremony will be held at Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.

17:00 - 20:40
Competitions to be held are Men’s Riding and Men’s Running, at Olympic Sports Centre Stadium. Men’s Medal Ceremony will also be held at the same centre.

22 August 2008, Friday

08:30 - 20:40
Events to be held are Women's Shooting and Fencing at Fencing Hall, Women's Swimming at Ying Tung Natatorium, Women's Riding and Running at Olympic Sports Centre Stadium. Women's Medal Ceremony will be held at Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.

17:00 - 20:40
Competitions to be held are Women’s Riding and Running at Olympic Sports Centre Stadium. Women’s Medal Ceremony will also be held at the same centre.

The Game
The modern pentathlon comprises of five events which are epee fencing, pistol shooting, 200 m freestyle swimming, a show jumping course on horseback, and a cross-country run. None of the events of modern penthatlon was part of the ancient Olympics. The modern pentathlon was introduced by the Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games.

Equipments
Airpistol uses compressed air or carbon dioxide to discharge lead pellets. Concentric circles mark the manual or Electronic targets. Epee originates from the sword, with a large guard and stiff blade. Piste is a fencing mat made from metal, metallic mesh or some substance with a conductive base. The pool is 50m long and a minimum 21m wide. The electronic touch panels are used in starting points and ends.

Competition Arena
A riding course of 350–450m length has twelve obstacles, a combination of two elements (a double) and another of three elements (a triple). The horse must clear the obstacles to complete the course. The obstacles could be fence, gate or water.