The Paris 2024 Olympic Games is the most eagerly awaited sporting event in France, and an opportunity to expand your knowledge of many of the sports on the bill. Each month, Sortir à Paris takes a closer look at some of the lesser-known disciplines, leading up to the competition, which begins in July 2024. Today, we're taking a closer look at modern pentathlon, heir to the ancient discipline, a particularly complete and difficult sport.
In ancient times, the pentathlon comprised running, javelin, jumping, discus and wrestling events, before becoming the event we know today, introduced by Pierre de Coubertin. Coubertin, who greatly appreciated the discipline, modified it to test the qualities of an "all-round" athlete, with the program including horseback riding in the form of jumping events, 200m freestyle swimming, epee fencing, running and shooting, the last two grouped together as a laser-run.
It was Baron de Coubertin who introduced the modern pentathlon to the Olympic program in 1912. A team event was added to the Olympic Games in 1952, but was discontinued in 1992, whilea women's event was introduced in 2000. Created for the modern Games, the discipline has been the subject of requests for its abolition for several years. For a long time, Hungary and Sweden dominated this discipline, with the Swedes winning 13 out of 15 medals in twenty years.
Compared to other European nations, few French athletes have succeeded in distinguishing themselves in this discipline, but the current generation could well change all that. In the 1990s, Sébastien Deleigne won a few medals, as did Olivier Clergeau and Raphaël Astier.
For Paris 2024, 72 athletes will be selected, from June 17, 2023 to June 17, 2024. France should be able to count on Olympic runner-up Elodie Clouvel, Marie Oteiza, Valentin Pradesand Valentin Belaud, if they qualify.
Where can you practice modern pentathlon, the 5-sport discipline, in Paris and the Ile-de-France region?
Not sure which sport to choose? Then try the modern pentathlon, which offers five sports in one, including riding, swimming, shooting, fencing and running! The region and its clubs welcome you to learn how. [Read more]
