So is it a Quadrathlon?

The international governing body of modern pentathlon has cut its event from five events to four in an effort to keep its spot in the Olympics, according to an Associated Press story.

Modern pentathlon has been under fire for years as other more mainstream sports -- such as softball and baseball -- have been dropped from the Olympic program, and popular sports such as golf clamor for a place at the Olympic table.

The IOC has made it pretty clear that the number of sports will not be expanded to make room for new sports, because of the financial situation and because of the potential for an unwieldy Olympic schedule. So officials are looking around for a sport to cut and modern pentathlon always seems to be on that short list.

Modern pentathlon currently includes shooting, fencing, riding, swimming and running. The change will combine running and shooting into one event, although details are sketchy as to how that would work. Perhaps it would be contested like the biathlon, in which athletes cross-country ski, then stop and shoot, then ski on.

Modern pentathlon was designed by Olympic founder Pierre de Coubertin and its five skills were meant to test those of an ideal soldier.

By Tracee Hamilton  |  November 25, 2008; 12:07 PM ET  | Category:  Modern Pentathlon
Previous: Bloom May Return to Skiing | Next: Phelps SI Sportsman of the Year

The comments to this entry are closed.