The history of the Modern Pentathlon is quite an eventful one. The Modern Pentathlon consists of FIVE events or disciplines, hence the Pentathlon part in the name. Those five events are Show Jumping, Epee Fencing, Pistol Shooting, Swimming and a Cross Country Run.

The word modern is important in the sports name as there was an ancient Pentathlon competed in, in the ancient Greek Olympics. None of those events however are in the modern day Pentathlon we have now.

The Modern Pentathlon was invented by Baron Pierre de Coubertin who was also the founder of the modern Olympics. Modern Pentathlon is the only sport in the Olympics, created specifically for the Olympic Games. The events of the time were modeled and selected because they were the skills a good soldier should possess.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin wanted to simulate what it would be like to be a cavalry soldier behind enemy lines, that is why he selected the five disciplines that he did. The soldier must be able to run, swim, fight with a sword, shoot with a pistol and ride a horse that is unfamiliar to him.

The Modern Pentathlon has been an Olympic sport continuously since 1912 when it was first brought in. One of the most famous athletes to compete in the competition was World War II General, General George S Patton, in 1912. He finished 5th, after performing poorly in the pistol shooting.

A womans event was brought in, in 2000 at the Sydney Olympics.

The event use to be held over four or five days, but to get commercial appeal, they reduced all the competitions events into one gruelling day.