Editing Modern pentathlon

{{short description|Five-event Olympic sport}}
{{Infobox sport
| name       = Modern pentathlon
| image      = JO PARIS 2024 PENTATHLON MODERNE MENS PARC DU CHATEAU DE VERSAILLES - 53915892043.jpg
| alt        =
| imagesize  = 200px
| caption    =
| union      = [[Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne]] (UIPM)
| nickname   =
| first      =
| firstlabel =
| region     =
| registered =
| clubs      =
| contact    = Semi-contact
| team       =
| mgender    =
| type       = [[Fencing]], [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[show jumping]], [[Obstacle Course Racing|obstacle racing]], [[shooting sport|shooting]], and [[running]] sport
| equipment  =
| venue      =
| olympic    = Part of Summer Olympic programme since 1912
| world      =
| paralympic =
}}

The '''modern pentathlon''' is an [[Summer Olympics|Olympic]] multisport that currently consists of [[fencing]] (one-touch épée followed by direct elimination), [[freestyle swimming]], [[obstacle course racing]], [[Laser pistol (sport)|laser pistol shooting]], and [[cross country running]]. [[Show jumping|Equestrian show jumping]] was replaced by obstacle course racing in senior competitions as of 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=UIPM 2025 Pentathlon World Cup Cairo: take five |url=https://www.uipmworld.org/news/uipm-2025-pentathlon-world-cup-cairo-take-five |website=UIPM}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ellingworth |first1=James |title=Horses out, 'American Ninja Warrior' in. Olympic sport of modern pentathlon faces a big change |url=https://apnews.com/article/modern-pentathlon-olympics-2024-horses-ninja-warrior-40b535b2872be69827755bf600ab017c |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=AP News |publisher=The Associated Press |date=8 August 2024}}</ref>

The event was first held in 1912, inspired by the [[Ancient Olympic pentathlon|traditional pentathlon]] held during the ancient Olympics, and designed to model skills needed by a soldier of that time. It has been a continuous part of the Summer Olympics since 1912, and a world championship has been held annually since 1949.

The rules of the modern pentathlon have changed several times, especially in the past three decades. The event has been condensed from five days to one day and further down to two hours. The latest structure, as of the [[2024 Summer Olympics|2024 Olympics]], consists of separate events for fencing, swimming, and equestrian, points from which determine each athlete's starting time in the final event, the [[laser-run]]. [[Egypt]] has achieved consistent success across multiple age-group world championships, culminating in [[Ahmed El-Gendy]] winning the first Olympic gold medal by an African pentathlete at the [[2024 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Modern Pentathlon: Elgendy wins first gold for Egypt |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/olympics/modern-pentathlon-elgendy-wins-mens-gold-egypt-2024-08-10/#:~:text=VERSAILLES%2C%20France%2C%20Aug%2010%20(,Palace%20of%20Versailles%20on%20Saturday. |archive-url= |website=Reuters}}</ref> Hungary has won the most Olympic gold medals<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-11 |title=Modern Pentathlon at Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Golden Gulyas (HUN) adds name to history books in Women’s Final {{!}} Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) |url=https://www.uipmworld.org/news/modern-pentathlon-paris-2024-olympic-games-golden-gulyas-hun-adds-name-history-books-womens |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=www.uipmworld.org |language=en}}</ref> after [[Michelle Gulyás|Michelle Gulyas]] became its second women’s Olympic champion at Paris 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goulding |first=Grace |date=11 August 2024 |title=Paris 2024 Modern Pentathlon: All results as Hungary's Michelle Gulyas takes women's gold with world record |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/paris-2024-modern-pentathlon-results-michelle-gulyas-wins-world-record |work=Olympics Paris 2024}}</ref>  

The initial program of the [[2028 Summer Olympics|2028 Olympics]] did not include modern pentathlon, but the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India, voted to approve the inclusion of the sport with its new format where obstacle racing replaces equestrian.

Modern pentathlon's governing body, [[Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne]] (UIPM), administers the international sport with member federations in more than 130 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Member federations {{!}} Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) |url=https://www.uipmworld.org/member-federations |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=www.uipmworld.org |language=en}}</ref>

== Format ==
The format of the modern pentathlon has changed frequently through the sport's history. Described below is the format that was used in the [[2024 Summer Olympics]] in Paris:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Modern Pentathlon |url=https://olympics.com/en/sports/modern-pentathlon/ |access-date=10 March 2024 |website=Olympics.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=NBC Olympics |date=5 April 2024 |title=Modern Pentathlon 101: Competition format |url=https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/modern-pentathlon-101-competition-format |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=www.nbcolympics.com |language=en}}</ref>

* '''Fencing, ranking round''': In the first round of the fencing, every athlete faces every other athlete in one-on-one fencing bouts. Bouts use an electric [[épée]] with the target being the whole body, and end after one hit, though if neither athlete scores a hit within one minute the bout ends with both registering a defeat. Athletes that win 70 percent of their bouts score 250 points; each win above is worth 5 more points, each below is 5 points less.
* '''Obstacle:''' Athletes compete head-to-head over a 60–70 meter course featuring eight obstacles. Obstacles include elements such as steps, big wheels, walls, rings, balance beams, and monkey bars. Each athlete must traverse the course in their lane without touching the ground outside designated areas. Falls, failures to complete an obstacle, or stepping outside of lanes result in penalties or disqualification. Athletes’ finishing times are converted into points toward their overall modern pentathlon score, with each second worth three points.<ref>{{cite web |title=UIPM obstacle catalogue |url=https://www.uipmworld.org/sites/default/files/uipm_obstacle_catalogue_2023_0.pdf |website=UIPM World}}</ref>
* '''Swimming:''' This is a single 200 meter [[Freestyle swimming|freestyle]] swim. A time of 2 minutes 30 seconds scores 250 points; each second faster than that earns 2 points and each second slower loses 2 points.
* '''Fencing, bonus round:''' In the second round of fencing, athletes are ordered based on the first round's results. The last-place athlete goes against the next-placed athlete. The winner receives 2 points and advances to compete against the next best-ranked athlete; the loser is eliminated from this round of fencing (for double-defeats, the winner of the bout is the athlete who was higher-ranked going into the round). This continues until all but one athlete is eliminated. (The athlete who enters this round in the top of the fencing order can only have one bout; if they won the fencing ranking round they can earn 4 points if they win that bout.)
* '''[[Laser-run]]:''' At this final event, athletes' starting times are determined by their total scores from the first three events, so that the highest scorer starts first, and each successive athlete then starts with a delay of one second for each point by which they trail the leader. Athletes run 3000 meters, stopping four times to shoot at targets with a [[Laser pistol (sport)|laser pistol]]. In each round, they must remain at the target until they score five hits (with an unlimited number of shots) or until 50 seconds have elapsed. Final placement in the overall modern pentathlon is determined by order across the finish line.
At the 2024 Olympics, the event was run twice for each gender. The first, the semifinals, determined which athletes could participate in the finals. The finals then determines the medallists. However, the fencing ranking round was only run once and its results were used for both the semifinals and finals. 
<gallery>
File:Fencing modern pentathlon.jpg|Fencing
File:Modern pentathlon competition swimming.jpg|Swimming
File:Horse riding during pentathlon competition.jpg|Riding
File:Shooting during at modern pentathlon competition.jpg|Shooting
File:Running during modern pentathlon competition.jpg|Running
</gallery>

== History ==
=== Creation ===
Most sources state that the creator of the modern pentathlon was Baron [[Pierre de Coubertin]], the founder of the [[Olympic Games|modern Olympic Games]].<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |last=Branch |first=John |date=November 26, 2008 |title=Modern Pentathlon Gets a Little Less Penta |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/27/sports/olympics/27pentathlon.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=%22John%20Branch%22&st=cse |access-date=2008-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310001320/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/27/sports/olympics/27pentathlon.html |archive-date=2009-03-10}}</ref><ref name="guard2021" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-06-22 |title=ON-Modern pentathlon at the Tokyo Olympics |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/on-modern-pentathlon-tokyo-olympics-2021-06-22/ |access-date=2022-05-05}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Helfers |first=Edward |date=2012-08-09 |title=The Glorious Irrelevance of Modern Pentathlon |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/08/the-glorious-irrelevance-of-modern-pentathlon/260899/ |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}}</ref> One alternative view is provided by researcher Sandra Heck, who concluded that [[Viktor Balck]], the President of the Organizing Committee for the 1912 Games, made use of the long tradition of Swedish military multi-sports events to create the modern pentathlon.<ref name=heck2013>{{cite book|first=Sandra|last=Heck|title= Von Spielenden Soldaten und kämpfenden Athleten. Die Genese des Modernen Fünfkampfes| publisher=V & R Unipress| location=Göttingen|year= 2013| isbn= 978-3-8471-0201-4}}</ref>

The name derives from the Greek πένταθλον (''péntathlon'') "contest of five [events]".<ref name="nyt" /> The addition of ''modern'' to the name distinguishes it from the [[Ancient Olympic pentathlon|original pentathlon]] of the [[ancient Olympic Games]], which consisted of the [[Stadion (running race)|''stadion'' foot race]], [[wrestling]], [[long jump]], [[javelin throw|javelin]], and [[discus throw|discus]]. The location of the first Olympic Games was Olympia in 708 BCE.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Campbell |first=Josephine |title=Olympics. |publisher=Salem Press Encyclopedia |year=2023}}</ref> As the events of the ancient pentathlon were modelled on the skills of the ideal soldier to defend a fortification of that time, Coubertin created the contest to simulate the experience of a 19th-century [[cavalry]] soldier behind enemy lines: he must ride an unfamiliar horse, fight enemies with pistol and sword, swim, and run to return to his own soldiers.<ref name="nyt" />

=== Olympic Games ===
The event was first held at the [[1912 Olympic Games]] and has been on the Olympic program continuously ever since.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=12 June 2024 |title=Modern pentathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympics |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/modern-pentathlon/articles/cyj3jyl0v3no |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> It was a male-only event until [[Modern pentathlon at the 2000 Summer Olympics|the 2000 Games]], when an event for women was added.<ref name="nyt" /> This enabled the sport to achieve gender parity 24 years before the Olympic Games managed this as a whole.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 March 2023 |title=Paris 2024: The first Games to achieve full gender parity |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/paris-2024-first-games-to-achieve-full-gender-parity |archive-date= |work=Olympics}}</ref>

A men's team event was added to the Olympic Games [[Modern pentathlon at the 1952 Summer Olympics|in 1952]], and was included in all Summer Olympics until its last appearance [[Modern pentathlon at the 1992 Summer Olympics|in 1992]].

Originally, the competition took place over four or five days. [[Modern pentathlon at the 1996 Summer Olympics|In 1996]], a one-day format was adopted in a major shift towards the sport's more audience-friendly future.<ref name="nyt" /> The switch to a one-day format was criticised for changing the steady character of modern pentathlon to a more fast-paced competition.<ref name="warendorf">{{cite web |title=Das Ende des Modernen Fünfkampfs in Warendorf |url=https://www.fuenf-nrw.de/verband/historie/geschichte/das-ende-des-modernen-fuenfkampfs-in-warendorf |accessdate=2021-11-29}}</ref> To further enhance the experience for spectators, the UIPM proposed that all five events should be held in a single venue. This was planned for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]]{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} but held for the first time at the [[2020 Summer Olympics]]. For the [[2024 Summer Olympics]], the format is further condensed into two hours.<ref name=":4" /><ref name="2024_90">{{cite web|url= https://www.uipmworld.org/news/paris-2024-uipm-welcomes-ioc-support-new-modern-pentathlon-format| title=Paris 2024: UIPM welcomes IOC support for new Modern Pentathlon format |accessdate=2021-01-27| date=2020-12-07|author= UIPM}}</ref> Further innovation and streamlining to maximise the sport's appeal, including changes to the fencing event, is planned for the 2028 Summer Olympics in [[Los Angeles]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |title=Three sports dropped from LA 2028 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/60240238 |access-date=2023-08-17 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>
 
Modern pentathlon is also part of the [[Youth Olympic Games]] since 2010.

Modern pentathlon, despite its long Olympic history, has had to justify its inclusion in the modern Olympic Games several times. On February 11, 2013, in Lausanne, the IOC confirmed modern pentathlon once again as one of the 25 core sports of the Olympic program through to 2020. Nine years later, the IOC confirmed its place on the program for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=WDSF "profoundly disappointed" after breaking snubbed for LA 2028 |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1141612/breaking-world-dance-sport-los-angeles |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=www.insidethegames.biz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LA 2028 |url=https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/los-angeles-2028}}</ref>

=== Governance ===
Until 1948 there was no official international federation for modern pentathlon, so an IOC committee was set up for the sport making use of the expertise of IOC members.<ref>[[Arnd Krüger]]: Forgotten Decisions. The IOC on the Eve of World War I, in: ''Olympika'' 6 (1997), 85 – 98. (https://web.archive.org/web/20100810031033/https://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/Olympika/Olympika_1997/olympika0601g.pdf)</ref> The governing body, [[Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne]] (UIPM) was founded in 1948 in Sandhurst, England during the London 1948 Olympic Games.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

=== International competitions  ===
A [[World Modern Pentathlon Championships|world championship]] has been held every year since 1949. The competitions now include men and women's individual and team events together with relay events for men and women and, since 2010, a mixed relay event. After much lobby work of the president of the German Modern Pentathlon Federation, Wilhelm Henze, women were for the first time admitted at the world championships in 1977, and at the official world championships in 1981.<ref>Uta Engels: "Now the Problem: Modern Pentathlon for Ladies." Zur Rolle Prof. Dr. Peter-Wilhem Henzes bei der Entwicklung des Modernen Frauenfünfkampfes, in:  [[Arnd Krüger]] & Bernd Wedemeyer (eds.): ''Aus Biographien Sportgeschichte lernen. Festschrift zum 90. Geburtstag von Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Henze''. Hoya: Niedersächsisches Institut für Sportgeschichte 2000, S. 47–66. {{ISBN|3-932423-07-0}}</ref>

The [[Modern Pentathlon World Cup]] is an annual series of modern pentathlon competitions, with four events taking place in the regular season and the top 36 female and top 36 male athletes qualifying to compete in the World Cup Final. It was first held in 1999.

== Format changes over time ==
Modern pentathlon has been the subject of numerous changes since its creation.<ref name=guard2021>{{cite web|first= Andy|last= Bull| title= Modern pentathlon was at risk long before a horse was punched. How to update it?| website= [[TheGuardian.com]]| url= https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2021/nov/03/modern-pentathlon-horse-punched-olympics| accessdate= 2021-11-29|date=2021-11-03}}</ref>

=== Fencing ===
In 2015 — and for the first time in the 2016 Summer Olympics — a system of an additional bonus round was added to épée fencing in international competitions. Before that, there was only the round-robin format.

=== Swimming ===
Until the 2000 Olympics, the distance for swimming was 300&nbsp;metres; at that time it was changed to 200&nbsp;metres.<ref name="goodluck">{{cite news |date=2007-03-10 |title=Modern Pentathlon |publisher='Good Luck Beijing' |url=http://www.goodluckbeijing.com.cn/en/archives/sports/2007-03-10/2365.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2008-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006203852/http://www.goodluckbeijing.com.cn/en/archives/sports/2007-03-10/2365.html |archive-date=2008-10-06}}</ref>

=== Riding ===
The distance of the cross-country riding event was reduced from 5&nbsp;km to 4&nbsp;km in 1972. For the [[1988 Summer Olympics]] cross-country riding was changed to show jumping.

=== Shooting and running ===
From 1912 to 1988 [[Handgun|regular pistols]] or later [[sport pistol]]s were used for shooting. From 1989 until 2009, the shooting discipline involved firing a 4.5&nbsp;mm ([[Pellet (air gun)|.177 cal]]) [[air pistol]] in the standing position from 10 metres distance at a stationary target. The format was that of the [[10 metre air pistol]] competition: each competitor had 20&nbsp;shots, with 40&nbsp;seconds allowed for each shot.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}} Beginning with the World Cup events in 2011, in a move designed to improve the safety and sustainability of the sport, [[laser pistol (sport)|laser pistols]] were used instead of pistols with actual projectiles.<ref name="uklaser2011">{{cite web |last=Rowbottom |first=Mike |date=2011-04-11 |title=Mike Rowbottom: British pentathletes adapt to lasers in quest for Olympic gold |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/12694/mike-rowbottom-british-pentathletes-adapt-to-lasers-in-quest-for-olympic-gold |accessdate=2021-12-06}}</ref> There is a slight delay between the trigger pull and the laser firing, simulating the time it would take for a pellet to clear the muzzle.<ref name="slate">{{cite news |date=2012-08-12 |title=Can Lasers Save the Modern Pentathlon? |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/five_ring_circus/2012/08/12/modern_pentathlon_2012_olympics_can_lasers_save_the_olympics_weirdest_sport_.html}}</ref> Air pistols with laser transmitters were introduced during the transitional period and are still in use.<ref name="lsrpstlswrd">{{cite magazine |date=2012-11-08 |title=Lasers Make Modern Pentathlon More Modern |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/08/modern-pentathlon-laser-pistols/ |accessdate=2021-12-13|last1=Wasef |first1=Basem }}</ref> Purpose-built laser pistols are developed and commonly used since the middle of the 2010s. Laser pistols and targets have to be [[homologation|certified]] by the UIPM.<ref name="uipmhomolog">{{cite web |title=UIPM HOMOLOGATED EQUIPMENT |date=29 July 2016 |url=https://www.uipmworld.org/uipm-homologated-equipment |accessdate=2021-11-29}}</ref>

Until the [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Olympics]], the running distance was 4&nbsp;kilometres.<ref name="goodluck" /> The running discipline was shortened to a 3&nbsp;km [[cross country running|cross-country]] run afterwards.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}

In 2009, the running and shooting events were combined into three 1000&nbsp;m laps with each preceded by laser shooting at five targets in 70&nbsp;seconds or less.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympic_games/7745671.stm Pentathlon change irks Livingston], [[BBC]], 24 November 2008</ref><ref name="lsrcritic">{{cite web | url=
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/13729/exclusive-laser-shooting-problems-have-turned-modern-pentathlon-into-a-lottery-claims-weale|title=Exclusive: Laser shooting problems have turned modern pentathlon into a lottery, claims Weale | first= Mike| last= Rowbottom| date=2011-07-29| accessdate=2021-12-13}}</ref> From the start of the 2013 season, the laser-run was changed to consist of four 800&nbsp;m laps (increasing the distance to 3.2&nbsp;kilometres) each preceded by laser shooting at five targets in 50&nbsp;seconds or less. This change was intended to restore some of the importance of the shooting skill felt to have been lost in the original 2009 combined event. After the 2020 Summer Olympics (postponed to 2021), the run was further modified to a new model of five 600 m laps.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Waine |first=Raphaël Languillon-Aussel & translated by Oliver |date=2022-09-09 |title=The Postponed Tokyo 2020 Games: From Planning Conflicts to Covid |url=https://metropolitics.org/The-Postponed-Tokyo-2020-Games-From-Planning-Conflicts-to-Covid.html |journal=Metropolitics |language=en}}</ref>

The laser-run has been criticized as altering too radically the nature of the skills required. ''[[The New York Times]]'' asked whether the name ought to be changed to "tetrathlon" given that two of the five disciplines had been combined into a single event.<ref name="nyt" /> Laser-run has also become a sport in its own right with para athlete participation and world championships of its own.  It is the summer equivalent of the [[biathlon]] winter sport, which involves skiing and shooting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-22 |title=UIPM 2022 Laser Run World Championships: All you need to know {{!}} Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) |url=https://www.uipmworld.org/news/uipm-2022-laser-run-world-championships-all-you-need-know |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=www.uipmworld.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Overall scoring and operation ===
Scoring was originally done by a points-for-place system with the lowest score winning. Since the 1954 World Cup points tables are used for each of the five events and points are added for the final score.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Modern Pentathlon at the 1956 Melbourne Summer Games |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1956/MOP/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417053732/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1956/MOP/ |archive-date=2020-04-17 |access-date=2021-12-13 |website=Olympics at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> This scoring was first used in the [[Modern pentathlon at the 1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="goodluck" /> The five disciplines were held on a single day — instead of four to six — from the [[Modern pentathlon at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Summer Olympics]] onwards.<ref name="nyt" /> In the 2024 Olympics, all five disciplines – other than the fencing ranking round – will all take place in the same venue within 90 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rowbottom |first=Mike |date=27 April 2021 |title=New modern pentathlon format for Paris 2024 gets thumbs up at final test event |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1107148/uipm-paris-2024-format-test-event |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Inside the Games}}</ref>

=== Replacement of riding with obstacle course racing ===
The riding discipline attracted criticism during the [[2020 Summer Olympics]] after multiple athletes in the [[Modern pentathlon at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's|women's event]] struggled to control their randomly-assigned horses.<ref name="AP NEWS 2021">{{cite web |date=2021-08-06 |title=Stubborn horse costs Schleu a shot at modern pentathlon gold |url=https://apnews.com/article/2020-tokyo-olympics-sports-great-britain-olympic-team-modern-pentathlon-france-olympic-team-7c946a488296ff1f26b5da8180a5f298 |access-date=2021-08-06 |website=AP NEWS}}</ref><ref name="RTE.ie 2021">{{cite web |date=2021-08-06 |title=Tokyo 2020: Heartbreak for Coyle in modern pentathlon |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics/2021/0806/1239391-natalya-coyle-modern-pentathlon/ |access-date=2021-08-06 |website=RTE.ie}}</ref> This culminated in the German team's coach, [[Kim Raisner]], being removed from the event after striking a horse with her fist.<ref name="bbc-horse-punch">{{cite news |title=Tokyo Olympics: German pentathlon coach thrown out for punching horse |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/58127366 |access-date=7 August 2021}}</ref><ref name="NBC News 2021">{{cite web |date=2021-08-07 |title=German coach kicked out of Olympics for punching a horse |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/olympics/germany-s-modern-pentathlon-coach-kicked-out-olympics-punching-horse-n1276251 |access-date=2021-08-07 |website=NBC News}}</ref> Following the Games, in November 2021 it was reported that the UIPM was opening consultations on the proposed replacement of riding with another discipline.<ref name="UIPM opens consultation on replacement sport">{{cite news |date=4 November 2021 |title=UIPM opens consultation on replacement of Riding discipline in Modern Pentathlon |language=en |work=Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) |url=https://www.uipmworld.org/news/uipm-opens-consultation-replacement-riding-discipline-modern-pentathlon |access-date=7 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-02 |title=Modern pentathlon votes to ditch horse riding after Tokyo Olympic turmoil |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/02/modern-pentathlon-votes-to-ditch-horse-riding-after-tokyo-olympic-turmoil |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> The decision was ratified during the UIPM's Congress on 27 November 2021, with the changes intended to be implemented for the [[2028 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date= 27 November 2021|title=Removal of riding from modern pentathlon approved at UIPM Congress |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1116039/uipm-congress-2021 |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=insidethegames.biz}}</ref> According to critics of the decision, the UIPM voted for the change without consulting athletes, claiming ''[[force majeure]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Houston |first1=Michael |title=UIPM holds meeting with athletes as modern pentathlon fifth discipline clashes continue |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1124314/uipm-fifth-discipline-athletes-meeting |website=Inside the Games |date=10 June 2022 |access-date=22 December 2023}}</ref>

The decision was met with criticism from various athletes and bodies, who considered riding to be integral to modern pentathlon. Some also accused the UIPM of hindering debate in favor of riding during the congress.<ref name=":1" /> More than 650 modern pentathletes signed a letter calling for the UIPM executive board to resign in November 2021.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 November 2021 |title=UIPM to meet athletes seeking board resignation over horse riding axe |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/pentathletes-ask-board-quit-after-horse-riding-removed-report-2021-11-06/ |access-date=6 January 2022 |publisher=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> A group known as "Pentathlon United" called for the IOC to investigate the UIPM's governance, and proposed a plan to maintain riding with rule changes to bring them in line with those of the [[International Federation for Equestrian Sports]] (FEI), and a focus on [[animal welfare]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date= 26 June 2022|title=UIPM set to hold obstacle test event but campaign to preserve riding continues |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1124950/modern-pentathlon-obstacle-ankara |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=insidethegames.biz}}</ref>

In May 2022, the UIPM announced it would hold an [[Obstacle course racing|obstacle racing]] test event alongside the 2022 Modern Pentathlon World Cup final in [[Ankara]], citing that it had received the most support out of the over 60 disciplines proposed, was more cost-effective, would help make the event more attractive to a younger audience, and was "compatible with the DNA of modern pentathlon". The competition course was developed with input from [[World Obstacle]] and Japanese broadcaster [[TBS Television (Japan)|TBS]] (producer of the sports competition series [[Sasuke (TV series)|''Sasuke'']], whose [[TV format|format]] has been widely exported under the title ''Ninja Warrior''), and the event featured a mix of athletes from both the obstacle racing and modern pentathlon communities.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Obstacle racing to be tested in modern pentathlon |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/modern-pentathlon/61296363 |access-date=2022-05-05}}</ref> Australian gymnast [[Olivia Vivian]]—a grand finalist of ''[[Australian Ninja Warrior]]''—won the gold in the women's competition.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lloyd |first1=Owen |title='Ninja Warrior' set used in first UIPM obstacle test event as winners crowned in Ankara |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1125029/uipm-obstacle-test-event-ninja-warrior |website=Inside the Games |date=28 June 2022 |access-date=22 December 2023}}</ref>

On 9 July 2022, Pentathlon United shared a survey of 213 responses from 40 countries, claiming that 68.5% of the respondents were current athletes, that indicated more than 92% of current modern pentathlon participants wanted to preserve the equestrian discipline as part of the sport. The group stated, "A total of 74.18% chose the reformed version of equestrian, which puts horse welfare among the central themes, while concern over the cost and accessibility of the equestrian discipline is also acknowledged in the 16-point plan." Of those polled, Pentathlon United claimed that only athletes from the [[United Kingdom]] showed any support for an obstacle race, with athletes from the [[United States]] overwhelmingly voting for a reformed version of [[equestrian sport]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lloyd |first1=Owen |title=Exclusive: More than 92 per cent of modern pentathletes want equestrian discipline preserved, according to survey |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1125457/modern-pentathlon-survey |website=Inside the Games |date=9 July 2022 |access-date=22 December 2023}}</ref>

In October 2022, modern pentathlon's elected Athletes Committee launched a campaign entitled #OurFuture, highlighting the views of pentathletes in favour of the change.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-25 |title=New Pentathlon Discipline: Feedback reveals 88% satisfaction with Test Events {{!}} Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) |url=https://www.uipmworld.org/news/new-pentathlon-discipline-feedback-reveals-88-satisfaction-test-events |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=www.uipmworld.org |language=en}}</ref> Athletes such as Olympic silver medallists Elodie Clouvel (France) and Ahmed Elgendy (Egypt) supported the transition when participating in a media conference at UIPM Headquarters in Monaco. They were joined by Athletes Committee representatives including the group's Chair, Yasser Hefny OLY (Egypt), Jamie Cooke (Great Britain) and Natalya Coyle OLY (Ireland), as well as former Pan American champion Tamara Vega (Mexico).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Por Bradley |date=2022-10-26 |title=UIPM feels confident new obstacle discipline will "transform modern pentathlon" |url=https://www.infobae.com/aroundtherings/articles/2022/10/26/uipm-feels-confident-new-obstacle-discipline-will-transform-modern-pentathlon/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=infobae |language=es-ES}}</ref>

In November 2022, the UIPM Congress voted 69–11 in favor of replacing riding with obstacle course racing; an associated motion established that the changes would take effect for junior competition in 2023.  The 2023 and 2024 junior world championships duly took place with obstacle in place of equestrian.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-12 |title=UIPM 2023 Pentathlon Junior World Championships: All you need to know {{!}} Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) |url=https://www.uipmworld.org/news/uipm-2023-pentathlon-junior-world-championships-all-you-need-know |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=www.uipmworld.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-25 |title=UIPM 2024 Pentathlon Junior World Championships: All you need to know {{!}} Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) |url=https://www.uipmworld.org/news/uipm-2024-pentathlon-junior-world-championships-all-you-need-know |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=www.uipmworld.org |language=en}}</ref> The new format's implementation at the senior level will be formalised after the [[2024 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-12 |title=UIPM Congress votes for obstacle racing to be new modern pentathlon discipline |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1130342/uipm-congress-riding-obstacle-racing |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=www.insidethegames.biz}}</ref>

On 22 June 2023, the UIPM shared a poll of 1,500 Americans by [[YouGov]] that they commissioned in support of their decision to replace riding with obstacle course racing, citing that the survey showed that "45% of Gen Z and 41% of Millennials more likely to watch the Olympics on television if it featured a [[ninja]]-style obstacle race...taken as a percentage of the U.S. population, this would equate to nearly 45 million more people watching the Games".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Survey shows positive reaction to modern pentathlon reform-Xinhua |url=https://english.news.cn/europe/20230622/bd06d79390bd4b1fb2ea8f482ed47a94/c.html |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=english.news.cn}}</ref> The UIPM also stated, "More than two-thirds (37%) of survey respondents said they would be more likely to watch the new-look Modern Pentathlon at the Olympic Games, and 46% of those cited enjoying ninja-style obstacle races as the reason, with 34% describing the reason for their answer: 'I think the Modern Pentathlon needs to embrace change'." The article also indirectly referenced the popular TV show ''[[American Ninja Warrior]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olympic pentathlon eyes 'Ninja Warrior' courses for survival |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2022/10/05/olympic-pentathlon-eyes-ninja-warrior-courses-for-survival/50803703/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-05 |title=Olympic Pentathlon Eyes 'Ninja Warrior' Courses for Survival |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/olympic-pentathlon-eyes-ninja-warrior-courses-for-survival/3089384/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller2022-10-05T13:04:00+01:00 |first=Max |title=Modern pentathlon aims for Olympics popularity with Ninja Warrior |url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcasting/modern-pentathlon-aims-for-olympics-popularity-with-ninja-warrior/5175105.article |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Broadcast |language=en}}</ref>

Іn August 2023 during the 2023 UIPM Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships, the UIPM signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] with World Obstacle to collaborate on the integration of obstacle racing into the modern pentathlon at the senior level; UIPM president Klaus Schormann stated that the federation was "want[ing] to bring a different challenge to the Olympic Movement, to be more urban and provide something that young generations will love."<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-27 |title=Exclusive: Pentathlon United claim UIPM Memorandum of Understanding with World Obstacle to oversee discipline "final betrayal" |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1140270/uipm-world-obstacle-mou |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=Inside the Games}}</ref> The MoU was criticised by Pentathlon United, who questioned World Obstacle's finances (in particular, being funded solely by one person with no other commercial revenue).<ref name=":6" /> In October 2023, during the [[141st IOC Session]] in Mumbai, the IOC voted to reinstate modern pentathlon with its new format for the [[2028 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=":32">{{Cite news |last=Burke |first=Patrick |date=October 14, 2023 |title=IWF credits governance reforms for saving weightlifting's Los Angeles 2028 place |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1141725/iwf-reaction-la-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180428/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1141725/iwf-reaction-la-28 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |work=[[Inside the Games]] |publisher=ITG Media DMCC |location=[[Mumbai]]}}</ref><ref name=":52">{{Cite news |last=Burke |first=Patrick |date=October 13, 2023 |title=IOC approves five additional sports for Los Angeles 2028 but boxing back on hold |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1141685/ioc-confirms-los-angeles-2028-sports |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180654/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1141685/ioc-confirms-los-angeles-2028-sports |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |work=[[Inside the Games]] |publisher=ITG Media DMCC |location=[[Mumbai]]}}</ref>

== Popularity ==
In 2021, modern pentathlon consistently had the least TV viewers of all Olympic sports, and also ranked at the bottom for internal Olympic measurements of social engagement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 December 2021 |title=IOC warn modern pentathlon it faces Los Angeles Olympics axe |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/ioc-warn-modern-pentathlon-it-faces-los-angeles-olympics-axe-172528571.html |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-GB}}</ref> The Greek modern pentathlon coach said, "We are an Olympic sport that is on the edge... We're very, very low down, if not bottom, in a lot of ratings like ticket sales, viewership, and participation".<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Barnaby |title=Modern pentathlon's attempt to keep its Olympic place after the horse-punching scandal has sparked a generational civil war |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/modern-pentathlon-inside-sports-bid-to-stay-in-the-olympics-2022-9 |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> Sports academic Jörg Krieger wrote in 2022 that the sport "suffered from a lack of participation in the sport, as well as [having] limited public interest".<ref name=":5" /> However, [[KXAS-TV]] reporter Stephanie de Lancey called the compressed 90-minute format used at the 2024 Olympics "fast and action-packed" and said the replacement of show jumping for 2028 was "a way for the sport to evolve in the 21st century."<ref>{{Cite web |last=de Lancey |first=Stephanie |date=11 August 2024 |title=Olympic modern pentathlon at Paris 2024: Biggest stories, replays, medal results and top athletes |url=https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/olympic-modern-pentathlon-paris-2024-biggest-stories-replays-medal-results-and-top-athletes |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=www.nbcolympics.com |language=en}}</ref>

A 2021 study by [[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]] concluded that modern pentathlon (in the form that included equestrian) was the most expensive Olympic sport for entry-level costs. It found that to start modern pentathlon cost US$13,580 for equipment and facilities. Most other Olympic sports examined cost less than $500 to start in.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Clarisa |date=2021-08-05 |title=Entry-level costs for starting an Olympic sport |url=https://qz.com/2039725/costs-to-play-pentathalon-canoe-slalom-and-other-olympic-sports |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=Quartz |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Pentathlon]]
* [[List of Olympic medalists in modern pentathlon]]
* [[Modern pentathlon at the Summer Olympics]]
* [[World Modern Pentathlon Championships]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

;Notes
{{reflist|group=Note}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category-inline|Modern pentathlon}}
* [https://www.wired.com/2012/08/modern-pentathlon-laser-pistols/ Lasers make modern pentathlon more modern]

{{Summer Olympic sports}}
{{Fencing}}
{{Water sports}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Modern pentathlon| ]]
[[Category:Multisports]]
[[Category:Summer Olympic sports]]
[[Category:Individual sports]]
[[Category:Fencing]]
[[Category:Cross country running]]
[[Category:Shooting sports]]
[[Category:Show jumping]]
[[Category:Swimming]]
[[Category:Military sports]]
[[Category:Pentathlon]]