Modern Pentathlon at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Modern pentathlon underwent a major change after the 2008 Olympics. Instead of consisting of five separate events – fencing, swimming, riding, shooting, and running, the shooting and running were combined into a single competition, similar to the biathlon at the Winter Olympics. Competitors would run but stopped at three stations during the run to fire a laser pistol at a target. They were required to record five successful shots at each station, but were penalized for extra shots taken and for the extra amount of time it took them to fire extra attempts. As had been the case since 1996, all events were held on one day.

The modern pentathlon started out within the Olympic Park with fencing taking place at the Copper Box, and swimming moving over to the Aquatics Centre, as one would expect. The final two events were held at Greenwich Park, a former hunting park in southeast London. Riding took place there first followed by the combined running/shooting competition. Once again there were two events, an individual for both men and women.