Modern pentathlon at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's

The women's Modern pentathlon competitions at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing will be held on August 21 and August 22 at the Olympic Sports Center Stadium (running, equestrian), Ying Tung Natatorium (swimming), and the Olympic Green Convention Centre (fencing, shooting).

The results of each of the five segments of the modern pentathlon were converted into points scores based on a par value of 1000 points per event (1200 in riding). Competitors doing better than par would receive more points. At the end of the first four segments, the points would be calculated and the pentathletes would be handicapped for the final segment based on their scores such that a simultaneous finish in that segment would result in identical overall scores.

The first segment was shooting, using the 4.5mm air pistol at a distance of 10 metres. Each athlete fires 20 shots, one at each target. With a possible score up to 10 for each shot, the total maximum score for the shooting is 200. A score of 172 is par, and earns the pentathlete 1000 points. Every point of score above that gives an additional 12 points for the pentathlon, while every point below that loses 12.

Second is fencing. The épée is used for pentathlon fencing. Each pentathlete faces each other pentathlete in a single bout to one touch, with both fencers given a defeat if neither scored within one minute. This gives a total of 35 bouts each. The par score of 1000 points was given for winning 70% of the bouts, or 25. For every victory above that the pentathlete received an additional 24 points, losing the same number for each victory below that.

The third segment was swimming. A 200 metre freestyle swimming event was held, with four heats of nine swimmers each. Par time, for 1000 points, was 2:40.00 with every .33 seconds away from that time resulting in 4 points being added or deducted.

Riding was the fourth segment. A standard time is given for the course, with a fault-free ride below that time being worth 1200 points. Every second above the standard time costs 4 points in penalties, and there are numerous penalties possible for knocking down jump obstacles, falls, refusals to jump, and other problems during the ride.

The final portion of the pentathlon is the 3000 metre race. The start is staggered such that athletes scoring highly in the first four segments have an advantage. For every 4 points that the athlete is behind the scoring leader, that athlete will have to wait one second before beginning. The score was based on 1000 points for a par time of 11:20.00 with every second above or below that time resulting in a 4 point swing. The combination of handicap and scoring system means that the final standings in the event are identical to the order in which the pentathletes finish the race.

Medalists

Competition results

References

• Competition format
• Scoring