Factbox on modern pentathlon

Modern pentathlon events are based on the vision of the skills needed by a cavalry officer operating behind enemy lines.

The modern pentathlon was introduced to the Olympics by the founder of the modern games, Baron Pierre de Coubertin.

The founder of the modem Olympic Games, Baron Pierre de Coubertin persuaded the Olympic Committee to introduce Modern Pentathlon at the 5th Olympic Games of the modern era in Stockholm, Sweden in 1912. For many years the modern pentathlon was used as part of the final examinations at a number of European military academies until the 1950s, when the International Union of Modern Pentathlon and Biathlon (IUMPB) was founded to conduct annual world championships. At the 1952 Olympics, Lars Hall of Sweden became the first civilian gold medalist in the sport. Today, both men and women, competing separately, complete all five events of the Modem pentathlon in one day. A points system for each event is based on a standard performance earning 1,000 points. The winner is the Pentathlete who has accumulated the most points after the five events and crosses the finish line first. The modern pentathlon consists of shooting, fencing, swimming, equestrian and running. The 3,000-metre run is the final event, which athletes start at intervals based on how well they've performed in the other four disciplines. The equestrian competition can throw a spanner into even the best athlete's plans because horses are assigned by random draw. Sheila Taormina of the United States became the first woman to qualify for the Olympics in three different sports. She previously competed in swimming and triathlon, so if she can hold her own in the shooting, fencing and equestrian events, she could become a surprise medalist in modern pentathlon. France's Amelie Caze won the women's world title earlier this year, and Russia's Ilia Frolov took the men's championship. Hungary's Viktor Horvath hurt his calf at the world championships, but he's still considered a contender in Beijing.

Pistol Shooting Fencing Swimming Horse riding Running

Fencing Hall of the National Convention Centre Yingdong Natatorium of the National Olympic Sports Centre Olympic Sports Centre Stadium

Thursday 21 August Men's shooting Men's fencing Men's swimming Men's riding Men's running (final event) Friday 22 August Women's shooting Women's fencing Women's swimming Women's riding Women's running (final event)

Men Andrey MOISEEV (Russia) Women Zsuzsanna Voros (Hungary)