Modern Pentathlon

In 2008, Russia's Andrey Moiseev defended his Olympic title in men's modern pentathlon.

Basics
The modern pentathlon consists of five disciplines (from Greek word pente) that will be contested on a single day. Unlike 2008, the separate disciplines of running and shooting will take place in one event - somewhat similar to the Olympic Winter Games sport of biathlon - called the combined event. In contrast to biathlon, where athletes are limited by the number of rounds in a rifle cartridge, the shooting in modern pentathlon is limited only by time. Athletes may shoot an unlimited number of shots in 70 seconds to hit all five targets.

• Fencing: Epee (35 bouts)
• Swimming: 200m freestyle
• Equestrian: Show jumping (12 jumps)
• Combined event: Running (3000m cross-country + 15 shooting targets)

The first athlete to cross the finish line is the winner.

2012 venue

Greenwich Park (equestrian and combined), the Aquatic Centre (swimming) and the Handball Arena (for fencing) will host the men's and women's competitions.

Beijing recap
Olympic history was made in the relatively obscure sport of modern pentathlon in 2008. In her fourth Games, 39-year-old Sheila Taormina of the United States became the first athlete to compete in three different sports. The Michigander competed in swimming in 1996, winning a gold medal as a member of the American 4x200m freestyle relay team, and triathlon in 2000 and 2004. She added shooting, fencing and show jumping to her athletic repertoire in time to qualify for the 2008 Games in modern pentathlon. She finished as the top American, in 19th place, one spot ahead of the 2004 Olympic champion, Zsuszanna Voros of Hungary.

Germany's Lena Schoneborn earned at least 1,000 points in each of the five disciplines to narrowly outlast Heather Fell of Great Britain for the title. The Ukraine's Victoria Tereshuk took the bronze. Besides Taormina, the U.S. was represented by Margaux Isaksen, who finished 21st.

In the men's competition, Russia's Andrey Moiseev defended his Olympic title from the Athens Games, becoming only the second athlete in the sport's 96-year history to win twice. Two Lithuanians, Edvinas Krungolcas and Andrejus Zadneprovskis, rounded out the medals. The Americans were paced by Sam Sacksen, in 18th. Eli Bremer finished 22nd.