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The choice of the five
diverse and unrelated sports that make up the Modern Pentathlon arose out of the romantic, tough adventures of a military
liaison officer whose horse is bought down in enemy territory, having defended himself with his pistol and sword, swims across
a raging river and delivers the message on foot.
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The Ancient Pentathlon consisted of running
the length of the stadium, throwing a spear, jumping, throwing the discus, and wrestling. Introduced for the first time at
the 18th Olympiad in 708BC, the Pentathlon held the position of unique importance in the Games and was considered
to be the climax, with the winner ranked as ‘Victor Ludorum’.
“The most perfect sportsmen, therefore, are the Pentathletes because in their bodies, strength
and speed are combined in beautiful harmony”. Aristotle.
Modern Pentathlon: The Modern Pentathlon, introduced at the 5th Olympiad in Stockholm 1912, comprised of the contemporary
sports of pistol shooting, fencing, swimming, horse riding and running, embracing the spirit of its ancient counterpart. Admiration
for the ancient Pentathlon was fully shared by the founder of the Modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, and it was his
belief that is would be the event, above all others, that ‘tested’ a man’s moral qualities as much as his
physical resources and skills, thereby producing the ideal, complete athlete.
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Olympic Sport of five diverse and unrelated sports - fence - swim - ride - shoot - run
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