Pentathlon (athletics)

The pentathlon is a discipline of athletics in which five individual competitions are held in different disciplines. Their results are converted according to a point table, which is based on the respective world record. The winner is the participant who has achieved the highest point total from all five sub-disciplines. The emphasis on versatility is typical of the pentathlon, as jumping, throwing and running disciplines are usually combined. However, there are also more specialized formats, such as the thrower pentathlon.

In the combined outdoor competitions dominated in the men's decathlon and the women of the heptathlon . Nevertheless, competitions and sometimes pentathlon championships are still held.

In indoor competitions for women, the pentathlon has been carried out since 1985, consisting of 60-meter hurdles , high jump , shot put , long jump and 800-meter run . The competitions in all disciplines are held within one day.

The pentathlon described here must not be confused with the "modern pentathlon" .

Men's pentathlon

A men's pentathlon first took place at the 1906 Olympic Intermediate Games and consisted of long jump from standing , discus throw (Greek style), javelin throw , 192-meter run and Greco-Roman style wrestling .

From 1912 to 1924 the pentathlon was part of the Olympic Games alongside the decathlon . It consisted of long jump , javelin throw , 200-meter run , discus throw and 1500-meter run and was held within one day. Official world records were not registered. This sequence of disciplines is still one of the most common today. It is sometimes called the International 5 Fight . This competition was held at German championships from 1952 to 1973, and it is still included in the list of the best. The advantage over the decathlon is that physically demanding and technically particularly demanding disciplines such as the shot put, hurdles and pole vaults are eliminated, so that it is more accessible, especially for young people and age group athletes.

Before that, the so-called German pentathlon was common at German championships from 1937 to 1951 . This is nothing more than the first day of a decathlon, i.e. 100-meter run , long jump, shot put , high jump and 400-meter run . At all German championships during this period, the decathlon champion was also a pentathlon champion. This changed from 1952 with the changeover to the international standard discipline, since now the pentathlon was mostly held parallel to the first day of the decathlon and the athletes inevitably had to choose one of the two competitions.

Women's pentathlon

The women's pentathlon had been held since 1928, first in Germany. From 1964 to 1980 it was part of the Olympic Games. Then he was replaced by the heptathlon .

Development of all-around disciplines for women
year	designation	First day of competition					Second day of competition
1928	Pentathlon		Shot put		Long jump		100 m	high jump	Javelin throw
1949			Shot put	high jump		200 m	80 m hurdles	Long jump
1961		080 m hurdles	Shot put	high jump				Long jump		200 m
1969		100 m hurdles	Shot put	high jump				Long jump		200 m
1977		100 m hurdles	Shot put	high jump	Long jump	800 m	÷
1981	Heptathlon	100 m hurdles	Shot put	high jump		200 m		Long jump	Javelin throw	800 m