[1] Modern pentathlon was introduced at the fifth Olympiad in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1912, comprising the contemporary sports of pistol shooting, fencing, swimming, horse riding and running, which embraced the spirit of its ancient counterpart.
During the congress the new federation elected their executive committee and the 57 existing members of the UIPMB were automatically transferred to the IBU.
In the same year the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) declared the IBU as a proper member.
Pentathlon's moment came two years later at the 14th session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Budapest (HUN) when, as the Baron stated: "the Holy Ghost of sport illuminated my colleagues and they accepted a competition to which I attach great importance".
Modern Pentathlon was introduced at the fifth Olympiad in Stockholm (SWE) 1912, comprising the contemporary sports of pistol shooting, fencing, swimming, horse riding and running, which embraced the spirit of its ancient counterpart.
It was De Coubertin's belief that it would be this event, above all others, that "tested a man's moral qualities as much as his physical resources and skills, producing thereby the ideal, complete athlete."
This new sport was enthusiastically adopted with its inherent demands of courage, co-ordination, physical fitness, self-discipline and flexibility in ever changing circumstances.
A young American Lieutenant, later to be the famous World War II General, George S. Patton, was to finish fifth in the first Olympic Modern Pentathlon competition.
The mixture of physical and mental skills demanded in the Pentathlon has also meant that athletes have been able to compete in as many as three or four Olympic Games.
This is because while running and swimming times can be expected to decline with age, experience and skill in the technical disciplines often increase.
In 1993, an agreement was made to retain as an umbrella body under which the UIPM and the International Biathlon Union (IBU) could act autonomously.
The separation from the UIPMB took effect on 20 August 1998, creating two distinct International Federations – the UIPM and IBU, both of which are recognised by the IOC and GAISF.
Through Biathle the UIPM has established a competition composed of the two fundamental components of Modern Pentathlon and most practised sports in the world – run and swim.
The Biathle competition begins with a pack start of runners who complete one-half of the total running distance before entering a 50-meter transition area.
Through Triathle, the UIPM has established a platform to encourage new generations to practise modern pentathlon starting from the basic disciplines of running and swimming and progressing into laser shooting.
Pentathletes usually have a swimming background, which is considered to be the only pentathlon discipline that cannot be taught at a higher level at an older age.
The swimming event is a freestyle race over 200 metres (660 ft) for men and women with athletes seeded in heats according to their personal best time.
Forty point penalties are incurred for a false start, failing to touch the wall at the end of a lap or leaving the pool in an incorrect manner as stipulated in the rules.
Riders must wear protective headgear and a riding jacket and can use a whip and spurs: Horses hoods and blinkers are prohibited.
In 2008, the UIPM Congress passed a motion to change the competition format of the modern pentathlon to combine the shoot and run disciplines.
In the individual competition for men and women at Senior, Junior and Youth A levels, athletes start with a handicap start, approximately 25 metres (82 ft) run, to a shooting range where they are required to hit five targets (time limit 50 seconds) before beginning an 800-metre (2,600 ft) run.
However, the format differs slightly in that only two series of the course are repeated (five targets down (time limit 50 seconds for youth); 800 metres (2,600 ft) run; five targets down (time limit 50 seconds for youth); 800 metres (2,600 ft) run) for each of the pentathletes.
Within the laser-run the shooting takes place with a completely safe and environmentally friendly laser pistol, fired at a target from a distance of 10 metres (33 ft).
Only after having hit five targets using an unlimited number of shots in the time limit of 50 seconds can the pentathlete start from the shooting station to perform the first running leg of 800 metres (2,600 ft).
UIPM subsequently received an increase in the quota and in Athens 2004, 32 men and 32 women competed and both competitions were 100% sold-out.
[20] Senior, Junior and Under 19 World Championships (formerly known as Youth A) take place annually, with male and female athletes competing in individual, team and relay events.
The Junior category is for pentathletes aged 23 and under, while the Under 19 World Championships is the only one that adopts the Tetrathlon format, where riding is omitted.