At the Tokyo Asian Championships in May, the first Olympic qualifier for Beijing 2008, China won full Olympic berths, two for each sex.

But at the following worlds in Berlin, Qian finished 20th and teammate Cao Zhongrong made it as high as 11th. They were ninth and 10th at last month's World Cup Finals in Beijing.

Xu said the latest event allowed the athletes to familiarize themselves with both the venue and the opponents.

"Both our men's and women's teams are above average in world terms," Xu said.

"But modern pentathlon requires a balance of power in all five disciplines and even a single chink can cost vital points, so it is hard to predict how we will do at the Olympics."

He said running is China's Achilles heel, followed by fencing. Even though these could prove the team's undoing next summer, Xu said the sport would continue to grow in China.

"We have a great advantage in those disciplines requiring tactical skills such as shooting, fencing and riding," Xu said. "If we build up our confidence and work harder, I believe we can soon join the world's top eight."

Steeped in legend

The modern pentathlon was born from the story of an old soldier.

A young French cavalry officer in the 19th century was sent on horseback to deliver a message. He rode across the uneven terrain, through enemy lines, and was confronted by a soldier with his sword drawn. Challenged to a duel, the officer won, only to have his horse shot out from under him by another soldier.

After felling that soldier with a single shot, the officer ran on. He swam across a raging river, and then finally delivered the message.

The pentathlon, based on the officer's story, was introduced at the Stockholm Games in 1912.

But as a result of International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge's policy of scaling down the Olympic Games, it narrowly escaped being removed from the Olympic roster at an IOC vote in 2005.

In order to make the sport more attractive, the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) is considering conducting the shooting and running disciplines as a combined exercise.

Xu said this could prove an enormous advantage for the Chinese.

"The Chinese pentathletes are good at shooting but not so good at running. If they are combined, we will be able to close the gap with the Europeans."

As unveiled by Xu, UIPM will hold its annual meeting in South Africa to discuss whether the new rules will be applied at the 2012 London Games.

For Beijing 2008, the men's and women's modern pentathlon will be held on August 21 and 22 respectively, with all five events taking place on the sme day.