Modern pentathlon at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's
Encyclopedia
The men's Modern pentathlon
competitions at the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing
were held on Thursday, August 21, at the Olympic Green Convention Center (shooting, fencing), Ying Tung Natatorium
(swimming), and the Olympic Sports Center Stadium (equestrian, running).
The results of each of the five segments of the modern pentathlon were converted into points scores based on a par value of 1000 points per event (1200 in equestrian). Competitors doing better than par would receive more points. At the end of the first four segments, the points would be calculated and the pentathletes would be handicapped for the final segment based on their scores such that a simultaneous finish in that segment would result in identical overall scores.
The first segment was shooting, using the 4.5mm air pistol at a distance of 10 metres. Each athlete fires 20 shots, one at each target. With a possible score up to 10 for each shot, the total maximum score for the shooting is 200. A score of 172 is par, and earns the pentathlete 1000 points. Every point of score above that gives an additional 12 points for the pentathlon, while every point below that loses 12.
Second is fencing. The épée is used for pentathlon fencing. Each pentathlete faces each other pentathlete in a single bout to one touch, with both fencers given a defeat if neither scored within one minute. This gives a total of 35 bouts each. The par score of 1000 points was given for winning 70% of the bouts, or 25. For every victory above that the pentathlete received an additional 24 points, losing the same number for each victory below that.
The third segment was swimming. A 200 metre freestyle swimming
event was held, with four heats of nine swimmers each. Par time, for 1000 points, was 2:30.00 with every .33 seconds away from that time resulting in 4 points being added or deducted.
Equestrian was the fourth segment. A standard time is given for the course, with a fault-free ride below that time being worth 1200 points. Every second above the standard time costs 4 points in penalties, and there are numerous penalties possible for knocking down jump obstacles, falls, refusals to jump, and other problems during the ride.
The final portion of the pentathlon is the 3000 metre race. The start is staggered such that athletes scoring highly in the first four segments have an advantage. For every 4 points that the athlete is behind the scoring leader, that athlete will have to wait one second before beginning. The score was based on 1000 points for a par time of 10:00.00 with every second above or below that time resulting in a 4 point swing. The combination of handicap and scoring system means that the final standings in the event are identical to the order in which the pentathletes finish the race.
Modern pentathlon
The modern pentathlon is a sports contest that includes five events: pistol shooting, épée fencing, 200 m freestyle swimming, show jumping, and a 3 km cross-country run...
competitions at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
were held on Thursday, August 21, at the Olympic Green Convention Center (shooting, fencing), Ying Tung Natatorium
Ying Tung Natatorium
The Ying Tung Natatorium is a swimming venue located in the Olympic Sports Centre in Beijing, China with a seating capacity of 4,852. It was upgraded for the 2008 Summer Olympics and expanded to 44,635 square metres. It hosted Olympic water polo matches and the swimming part of the modern...
(swimming), and the Olympic Sports Center Stadium (equestrian, running).
The results of each of the five segments of the modern pentathlon were converted into points scores based on a par value of 1000 points per event (1200 in equestrian). Competitors doing better than par would receive more points. At the end of the first four segments, the points would be calculated and the pentathletes would be handicapped for the final segment based on their scores such that a simultaneous finish in that segment would result in identical overall scores.
The first segment was shooting, using the 4.5mm air pistol at a distance of 10 metres. Each athlete fires 20 shots, one at each target. With a possible score up to 10 for each shot, the total maximum score for the shooting is 200. A score of 172 is par, and earns the pentathlete 1000 points. Every point of score above that gives an additional 12 points for the pentathlon, while every point below that loses 12.
Second is fencing. The épée is used for pentathlon fencing. Each pentathlete faces each other pentathlete in a single bout to one touch, with both fencers given a defeat if neither scored within one minute. This gives a total of 35 bouts each. The par score of 1000 points was given for winning 70% of the bouts, or 25. For every victory above that the pentathlete received an additional 24 points, losing the same number for each victory below that.
The third segment was swimming. A 200 metre freestyle swimming
Freestyle swimming
Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
event was held, with four heats of nine swimmers each. Par time, for 1000 points, was 2:30.00 with every .33 seconds away from that time resulting in 4 points being added or deducted.
Equestrian was the fourth segment. A standard time is given for the course, with a fault-free ride below that time being worth 1200 points. Every second above the standard time costs 4 points in penalties, and there are numerous penalties possible for knocking down jump obstacles, falls, refusals to jump, and other problems during the ride.
The final portion of the pentathlon is the 3000 metre race. The start is staggered such that athletes scoring highly in the first four segments have an advantage. For every 4 points that the athlete is behind the scoring leader, that athlete will have to wait one second before beginning. The score was based on 1000 points for a par time of 10:00.00 with every second above or below that time resulting in a 4 point swing. The combination of handicap and scoring system means that the final standings in the event are identical to the order in which the pentathletes finish the race.
Medalists
Results
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| Rank | Athlete | Shooting Score (pts) |
Fencing Victories (pts) |
Swimming Time (pts) |
Equestrian Score (pts) |
Running Time (pts) |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 186 (1168) | 26 (1024) | 2:02.55 (1332) | 09:48.75 (1048) | 5632 | |||
| 185 (1156) | 21 (904) | 2:07.63 (1272) | 09:42.65 (1072) | 5548 | |||
| 182 (1120) | 15 (760) | 2:02.27 (1336) | 09:25.00 (1140) | 5524 | |||
| 4 | 189 (1204) | 26 (1024) | 2:07.46 (1272) | 10:04.40 (984) | 5516 | ||
| 5 | 183 (1132) | 18 (832) | 2:06.84 (1280) | 09:33.97 (1108) | 5480 | ||
| 6 | 188 (1192) | 16 (784) | 2:08.37 (1260) | 09:47.25 (1052) | 5460 | ||
| 7 | 185 (1156) | 22 (908) | 2:09.20 (1252) | 09:42.61 (1072) | 5436 | ||
| 8 | 171 (988) | 20 (880) | 2:10.60 (1236) | 09:21.95 (1156) | 5420 | ||
| 9 | 184 (1144) | 20 (880) | 2:04.37 (1308) | 10:01.57 (996) | 5416 | ||
| 10 | 177 (1060) | 18 (832) | 2:02.87 (1328) | 09:21.18 (1156) | 5412 | ||
| 11 | 184 (1144) | 15 (760) | 2:10.46 (1236) | 09:29.96 (1124) | 5352 | ||
| 12 | 186 (1168) | 11 (664) | 2:03.03 (1324) | 09:41.97 (1076) | 5348 | ||
| 13 | 185 (1156) | 14 (736) | 2:03.52 (1320) | 09:49.27 (1044) | 5344 | ||
| 14 | 183 (1132) | 16 (784) | 2:15.10 (1180) | 09:18.27 (1168) | 5320 | ||
| 15 | 184 (1144) | 18 (832) | 2:16.38 (1164) | 09:29.55 (1124) | 5292 | ||
| 16 | 172 (1000) | 20 (880) | 2:00.84 (1352) | 09:19.81 (1164) | 5288 | ||
| 17 | 182 (1120) | 18 (832) | 2:11.70 (1220) | 09:26.90 (1136) | 5280 | ||
| 18 | 178 (1072) | 14 (736) | 2:08.99 (1256) | 09:34.25 (1104) | 5272 | ||
| 19 | 187 (1180) | 16 (784) | 2:05.17 (1300) | 09:33.95 (1108) | 5268 | ||
| 20 | 178 (1072) | 18 (832) | 2:04.01 (1312) | 09:18.00 (1224) | 5212 | ||
| 21 | 176 (1048) | 18 (832) | 2:09.14 (1252) | 09:17.61 (1180) | 5204 | ||
| 22 | 165 (916) | 14 (736) | 2:02.80 (1328) | 09:27.46 (1132) | 5172 | ||
| 23 | 176 (1048) | 10 (640) | 2:04.52 (1308) | 09:21.00 (1116) | 5172 | ||
| 24 | 171 (988) | 15 (760) | 2:11.54 (1224) | 09:34.46 (1104) | 5168 | ||
| 25 | 160 (856) | 14 (736) | 1:55.96 (1412) | 10:00.90 (1000) | 5064 | ||
| 26 | 179 (1084) | 19 (856) | 2:07.32 (1276) | 10:15.01 (940) | 5008 | ||
| 27 | 178 (1072) | 12 (688) | 2:15.26 (1180) | 09:29.57 (1124) | 4968 | ||
| 28 | 191 (1228) | 24 (976) | 2:05.40 (1296) | 09:24.35 (1144) | 4828 | ||
| 29 | 181 (1108) | 15 (760) | 2:05.28 (1300) | 09:30.67 (1120) | 4828 | ||
| 30 | 160 (856) | 21 (904) | 2:01.53 (1344) | 09:58.70 (1008) | 4824 | ||
| 31 | 181 (1108) | 12 (688) | 2:10.74 (1232) | 10:46.70 (776) | 4784 | ||
| 32 | 174 (1024) | 15 (760) | 1:55.86 (1412) | 09:58.55 (1008) | 4688 | ||
| 33 | 176 (1048) | 19 (856) | 2:09.18 (1252) | 09:41.05 (1076) | 4316 | ||
| 34 | 168 (952) | 19 (856) | 2:04.23 (1312) | 10:04.15 (984) | 4264 | ||
| 35 | 178 (1072) | 17 (808) | 2:05.62 (1296) | 09:41.17 (1076) | 4252 | ||
| 36 | 183 (1132) | 17 (808) | 2:07.02 (1276) | 10:05.80 (980) | 4196 |