There was no International Federation governing modern pentathlon in 1924, and would not be until 1948, so the competition was organized by the Amsterdam Organizing Committee. The event took place on five consecutive days, beginning with rapid-fire pistol shooting, followed by swimming, and épée fencing. The fourth event in 1928 was running, and the competition finished with the cross-country steeplechase ride. Shooting was held at the Zeeburg Shooting Ground, which was on a military base on Zeeburg, an artificially created island just outside Amsterdam. This was the only shooting contested at the 1928 Olympics, as the sport was not on the Olympics Program for one of only two times. The cross-country run was held near Hilversum, southeast of Amsterdam, while the horse steeplechase event was contested near Amersfoort in the province of Utrecht, about 40 km. southeast of Amsterdam.