The sport of Modern Pentathlon has been called the "true Olympic sport" and the sport that most accurately conveys the ideals of Olympism.

Shooting

New outdoor ranges should be constructed in such a way that the sun is behind the pentathlete as much as possible during the competition day. For Olympic Games and World Championships the range must be installed indoors.

Shooting distances must be measured from the firing point to the target face. Shooting distance must be as exact as possible, subject to the allowable tolerance of +/- 0.05 m.

Indoor 10m ranges must have artificial illumination providing the necessary amount of light without glare or distracting shadows on the targets or firing points. The entire area must be evenly illuminated with no less than 300 lux. Targets must be illuminated evenly with no less than 1000 lux.

Fencing

The piste must be made from metal, metallic mesh or some substance with a base that is conductive. The resistance of the piste, from one end to the other, must not exceed 5 ohms. The piste is from 1.50 metres to 2.00 metres wide. The piste is 14 metres long, so that each pentathlete being placed at 2 metres from the centre line has at his disposal for retreating a total distance of 5 metres without it being necessary for him to cross the rear limit of the piste with both feet.

The piste is 14 metres long, so that each pentathlete being placed at 2 metres from the centre line has at his disposal for retreating a total distance of 5 metres without it being necessary for him to cross the rear limit of the piste with both feet.

An extension of 1.50 metres to 2 metres is added at each end of the piste on which the pentathletes can retire. The piste must therefore have a total length of 17 to 18 metres.

Swimming

At Olympic Games the pool must be 50m long and a minimum 21m wide. When touch panels of electronic timing equipment are used on the starting end, or additionally on the turning end, the pool must be of such length that it ensures the required distance of 50m between the two panels. Pools must be 1.80m deep throughout.

The minimum number of lanes in a pool of 50m must be 8, each of them 2.5m wide with 2 spaces of 50cm width each outside of lanes 1 and 8 respectively.

The height of the starting blocks above the water surface may be from 0.5m to 0.75m, the surface area must be at minimum 0.5m x 0.5m. The surface must be covered with non-slip material. The maximum slope is 10 degrees.

The water temperature shall have a minimum temperature of 26C (+/- 1C). During the competition, the water in the pool must be kept at a constant level, with no noticeable movement.

Riding

The LOC must provide a warm-up arena with one upright and one spread obstacle duly lineated by red and white flags. If the event is in an indoor arena where space is limited or no area is close by for warm-up of horses, the LOC can allow the pentathletes to warm-up en mass in the competition arena. Immediately prior to each pentathlete's competition ride, they may take one designated jump in the arena.

The competition arena (thereafter arena) must be enclosed. The height of the borders must be a minimum of 1m. While a horse is in the arena during a competition, all entrances and exits must be closed.

The start line must not be more than 25m nor less than 6m from the first obstacle. The finish line must not be less than 15m or more than 25m from the last obstacle. In indoor arenas, the finish line must not be less than 10m from the last obstacle. Each of these 2 lines must be marked with an entirely red flag on the right and entirely white flag on the left.

Running

The maximum climb of the course is 50m. The total climb is measured from a perpendicular angle from the start area and adding together the total metres of climb from each level.

The first and last 50m of the course shall be straight and flat. The total course must be wide enough to permit two runners to pass each other at any point on the course. The start and finish must always be in the same place.

(BOCOG)