USA Pentathalon

USA PENTATHLON MULTISPORT STRIVES TO IDENTIFY, INSPIRE AND TRAIN ATHLETES TO ACHIEVE PERSONAL AND SUSTAINED COMPETITIVE EXCELLENCE AND THEREBY INSPIRE ALL AMERICANS.

The Pentathlon consisting of running the length of the stadium, jumping, throwing the spear, throwing the discus and wrestling was introduced for the first time at the 18th Olympiad in 708 BC. The Pentathlon held a position of unique importance in the Games and was considered to be the climax, with the winner ranked as “Victor Ludorum”.

Admiration for the ancient Pentathlon was fully shared by the founder of the Modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, and from 1909, he tried to have the event re-introduced into the Olympic programme. Pentathlon’s moment came two years later at the 14th session of the International Olympic Committee in Budapest (HUN) when, as the Baron stated: “the Holy Ghost of sport illuminated my colleagues and they accepted a competition to which I attach great importance”.

URL: https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Modern-Pentathlon/About-Us/History-of-Modern-Pentathlon