Pentathlon: Soldiers look to deliver

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-21 08:39

Andrey Moiseev of Russia is a medal contender. Getty Images

The men begin the grueling one-day modern pentathlon competition today before tomorrow's battle among the women.

Russia's Andrey Moiseev, who won the Olympic men's title in 2004, and his compatriot Ilia Frolov, an excellent runner, won the world championship in June, are both medal contenders.

But Hungary's Viktor Horvath, who had to abandon that competition with a leg injury, was the 2007 world champion and leads the world rankings.

Other contenders include World Championship medal winners David Svoboda of the Czech Republic and Yahor Lapo of Belarus.

The modern pentathlon, which once was spread out over four to five days, was condensed to a single day in 1996 and was designed to simulate the struggles a soldier might face in delivering a message.

It was introduced in 1912 and women have been competing at the Olympics since 2000.

Pentathlon was a highlight of the ancient Olympics. It included running, jumping, javelin, discuss and wrestling.

Agencies

(China Daily 08/21/2008 page22)