Competition Format

The Modern Pentathlon competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is a one-day competition, which means all five events will take place on the same day.

Shooting

4.5mm air pistol event consisting of 20 shots fired at 20 targets, one shot per target, at a distance of 10 meters. All 20 shots will be fired from the same position.

Fencing

Electronic epee, all bouts are for one decisive hit in 1 minute. The format is 36 person round robin.

Swimming

200m free-style race against the clock, four (4) heats of nine (9) swimmers

Riding

350-450m stadium course with 12 obstacles including a double jump and a triple jump. After the previous three (3) events, athletes are divided into two (2) groups according to their rankings –1st-18th and 19th-36th.

Athletes ranked in the 18th and 19th share the same horse, as do 17th and 20th, 16th and 21st, etc., to 1st and 36th.

Running

It is a race over 3000m. Handicap based on rankings of overall points in the previous four (4) events.