Modern Pentathlon: The Definitive Guide
Everything you need to know about the sport of five disciplines, brought to you by Pentathlete dot com
Modern Pentathlon is the only Olympic sport created by the founder of the modern Games. In just one tightly timed competition, athletes are tested across fencing, obstacle racing, swimming, shooting and running. It is a sport of stamina, strategy and all-around athletic mastery.
Whether you're a new fan, an aspiring athlete or a journalist covering the Games, this guide offers the most current and complete answers to the top questions people search about modern pentathlon, based on the official 2025 rules and Olympic history.
What are the five events in modern pentathlon?
The five events in the modern pentathlon are fencing, obstacle course racing, swimming, and the laser run (a combined running and shooting event). The official order is:
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Fencing (épée)
One-touch épée bouts in a full round-robin format followed by a single elimination bonus round. -
Obstacle (70m course, 8 obstacles)
The Obstacle race, added in 2025, is a sprint over a 70 meter course featuring eight distinct challenges. Six obstacles remain the same at every event, while the remaining two are selected at random before each stage, adding variety and unpredictability. -
Swimming (200m freestyle)
A 200 meter freestyle swim where each athlete’s time is converted into points based on the official UIPM scoring table. -
Laser Run (3000m run + shooting)
A five lap race totaling 3000 meters, with four rounds of laser shooting in between. After each 600 meter run, athletes stop to shoot at a single target until they register five hits, then continue running. The race begins with each athlete starting one after another based on their score from the earlier events. For every point an athlete is behind the leader, they start one second later.
The athlete who crosses the finish line first in the Laser Run wins the overall competition
How is the modern pentathlon scored?
Points accumulate over the first three events and determine the starting order for the Laser Run. The scoring system is as follows:
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Fencing
Athletes face each other in a series of one-minute bouts, earning more points with each victory. A bonus round follows in a single-elimination format, where each win adds a boost to their score. -
Obstacle
Athletes race head to head over a 70 meter course with eight obstacles. Only the finishing time matters. Penalties apply for failed or incomplete obstacles. -
Swimming
Athletes race 200 meters freestyle. The faster they swim, the more points they earn. -
Laser Run
Starting positions for the laser run are determined by the points earned in the first three events: fencing, obstacle, and swimming. The athlete with the highest score starts first. Everyone else starts behind them, one second later for each point they trail.The race includes five 600 meter laps with four stops at the shooting range. After each lap, athletes must hit five targets before continuing. The shooting station allows up to 50 seconds per round. The event is continuous so athletes may not resume running until all five hits are registered.
The first to cross the finish line wins.
This scoring model keeps the competition close and the outcome uncertain until the very end.
What is the history of modern pentathlon?
Modern Pentathlon was introduced at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics and has appeared in every Summer Games since. Inspired by the ancient Olympic pentathlon, the sport was created by modern Olympic founder Baron Pierre de Coubertin to reflect the all-around skillset of a complete military officer. He saw the pentathlete as a symbol of athletic versatility as a deliberate counterpoint to the growing emphasis on specialization.
Notable historical milestones:
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1912: First Olympic appearance
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1952: Team competition added
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1992: Team format removed. Competition became individual-only
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1996: Condensed to a single-day format
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2000: Women’s event added at the Sydney Games
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2009: Laser Run introduced
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2010: Laser pistols replace air pistols
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2024: Final Olympic riding event in Paris
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2025: Obstacle replaces riding
The Transition from Riding
For over a century, the modern pentathlon included equestrian show jumping, a discipline that tested an athlete's ability to control an unfamiliar horse over a course of obstacles. The 2024 Paris Olympics marked the final appearance of the riding event. Following a decision by the sport's governing body to modernize, increase accessibility, and secure its Olympic future, equestrianism was officially replaced by obstacle course racing in 2025.
The sport continues to evolve while honoring its founding vision of versatile athleticism.
When was modern pentathlon introduced to the Olympics?
Modern Pentathlon has been part of the Olympic program since 1912 and remains the only sport created specifically for the modern Olympic Games.
The women’s competition was added in 2000. The team event, once a prominent feature, was last held in 1992. Since then, all medals have been awarded for individual performances
Modern Pentathlon is confirmed on the Olympic schedule through Los Angeles 2028. The Los Angeles Games will be the first to feature the new five-event format. The five Olympic disciplines for 2028 in Modern Penathlon will be:
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Fencing
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Obstacle Course Racing
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Swimming
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Laser Run (Running & Shooting)
This lineup marks the official Olympic debut for obstacle racing, solidifying the sport's next chapter.
What are the rules of the modern pentathlon?
Modern pentathlon is governed by the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne under the 2025 competition rules. The sport combines five disciplines across four events, each with its own format and scoring structure.
Fencing
Athletes compete in a round-robin of one-minute épée bouts. Each victory earns points. A bonus round follows in a single-elimination format where athletes can earn additional points with each win.
Obstacle
A 70 meter head-to-head race through eight obstacles. Six obstacles remain fixed throughout the season while two are drawn at random for each stage of competition. Courses are set on flat, solid surfaces and may be held indoors or outdoors.
Swimming
A 200 meter freestyle race. Athletes are seeded into heats based on qualifying times. Points are awarded according to each swimmer’s time.
Laser Run
A five-lap race totaling 3000 meters, with four shooting rounds. After each 600 meter run, athletes stop to shoot at a single target from ten meters. They must score five hits before continuing. Each round allows up to 50 seconds to complete. The laser run is continuous and athletes cannot advance until all five hits are recorded.
Start times are staggered based on cumulative points from earlier events, with one point equaling one second.
The first athlete to finish the laser run is the overall winner.
Conclusion: A sport of complete athleticism
Modern pentathlon is the sport of true versatility. Few sports ask athletes to shift so precisely between skill, speed, and endurance. With a compact format and clear rules, it remains one of the most unique events in the Olympic program.
From épée fencing to obstacle racing, freestyle swimming, precision shooting, and distance running, the five disciplines form a single, balanced challenge.
Pentathlete dot com is proud to offer this introduction for athletes, fans, and followers of the sport. For more features, interviews, and analysis, visit The Pentathlete Journal.
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