Individual, Men

There were no other international competitions in modern pentathlon until after World War II, so this event was always very difficult to handicap. But prior to 1936, the sport was totally dominated by the Swedes. They had won the first four and six of the top seven places in 1912 and swept the medals and top four places again in 1920. Bo Lindman (SWE) was making his first Olympic appearance and he ran away with the event. After placing fifth in the shooting, Lindman won the swim in 5:18.6, to take the lead with 10 points. He was very strong in the last three segments, placing third in the fencing, fourth in the riding, and winning the cross-country run. His score of 18 points was less than half that of the silver medalist, defending champion, Gustaf Dyrssen (SWE), who came in at 39½. The bronze medalist, Bertil Uggla, had placed fourth in 1920, but was an Olympic veteran. His modern pentathlon bronze medal was added to the bronze he won in the 1912 pole vault. Lindman would return to win silver medals in 1928 and 1932. He also won medals in fencing at the 1933-34 European Championships and was later president of the Swedish Athletics Federation from 1935-46.