BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Following is the factbox on modern pentathlon at the August 8-24 Beijing Olympic Games:

    HISTORY

    The only sport created solely for the Olympic Games, modern pentathlon is supposed to reflect the ancient Greek ideal of the well-rounded athlete competing in several disciplines.

    The ancient pentathlon, which comprised discus throw, javelin, long jump, a stadium-length race and wrestling, was practiced at the Olympic Games in 708 B.C..

    Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Games, designed modern pentathlon as an event that would test physical strength, technical ability, concentration and endurance, with athletes competing in shooting, fencing, swimming, riding and cross-country running, all within one day.

    EVENTS

    Shooting, fencing, swimming, riding and 3,000 meters cross-country running.

    In shooting, the competitors shoot at a fixed target from a distance of 10 meters using a 4.5mm-calibre air pistol, with 20 shots allowed for each athlete and a time limit of 40 seconds.

    For the fencing event, athletes fence once with each of their rivals which means that each competitor faces 31 opponents.

    In the swimming, the men have to cover 200 meters in freestyle within two minutes 30 seconds; women have two minutes 40 seconds.

    Riding involves jumping over 12 hurdles (maximum height 1.2 meters) within a time limit. Competitors are allocated an unknown horse in a random draw and have 20 minutes to familiarize themselves with their mount.

    The cross-country race over three kilometers is always the last event. Athletes start under a handicap system, according to their points total from the previous four disciplines. The leader starts first so the first person to cross the finish line of the race wins the pentathlon.

    OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION

    Individual men's and women's competitions will each have 36 competitors. Each country is allowed a maximum of 2 competitors for each gender.

    2004 CHAMPIONS

    Men: Andrey Moiseev, Russia

    Women: Zsuzsanna Voros, Hungary

    OLYMPIC PROGRAMME

    August 21 - men

    August 22 - women

    VENUES

    Ying Tung Natatorium, Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, National Conference Center.