London Preview: Modern Pentathlon

What/When/Where: Modern Pentathlon, Various Locations, August 11-12

Modern Pentathlon in 1948 and 2012

The Olympic symbol has five rings. Modern Pentathlon has five events. The modern-day Olympics were created by Pierre de Coubertin; so was Modern Pentathlon. This is a true Olympic sport! It’s the real deal!

As many of you know, Modern Pentathlon has become a new favorite of mine. The conversion from naysayer to fan came in April of this year. Now that the Olympics are here, Modern Pentathlon is in my top three of most anticipated sports to watch.

What is Modern Pentathlon? If you’re not familiar, the Modern Pentathlon’s governing body offers an excellent introduction. Remember, it’s five events: fencing, swimming, riding, shooting, and running.

The Men

Andrei Moiseev

The men’s competition will see 2004 & 2008 gold medalist Andrei Moiseev back again, but he’s facing stiff competition from several athletes, including countryman Aleksander Lesun andAdam Marosi of Hungary. In fact, as of now, Lesun and Moiseev are tied for first place! It’s going to be a great competition, but I’ll be honest: I’m even more excited about the women’s event!

The Women

In the women’s event, if all athletes perform well, we could be in for a doozy of a final! Not one athlete has truly stood apart from the rest during the year. Several of the world’s top pentathletes have reached the podium at World Cup events; and because of this, it could be a very close competition in London. Having seen these women compete in person, it would be an understatement to say that they are good athletes. (Oh, and they’re super nice to their fans.) I don’t know that anyone could truly understand what I mean without seeing a Modern Pentathlon competition from beginning to end.

Here are the ones to watch:

Lena Schoneborn

Lena Schoneborn (Germany)Schoneborn is like the poster child of athletes. Her large stature and lean physique is impressive. Schoneborn excels at this sport because she is consistent. She holds her own in swimming and does well in riding, but it’s the combined event (running/shooting) and fencing where she’s most impressive, particularly fencing.

Mhairi Spence (Great Britain)

Mhairi Spence

I was able to watch Mhairi Spence around the time she was catching on fire. Spence’s physique reminds me more of someone suited for football (soccer) or field hockey, but it works for Modern Pentathlon. Don’t let that wide grin of hers fool you. She’s a fearless competitor, aggressive on the fencing mat. Her weak area? Probably running (part of the combined event). Spence seems to be one of the most likable athletes competing in Modern Pentathlon. A win for her would be spectacular.

Equally capable of winning gold are Victoria Tereshuk (Ukraine) and Laura Asadauskaite (Lithuania). Tereshuk won bronze at the 2008 Olympics; Asadauskaite is currently ranked number one in the world. Like Schoneborn, both Tereshuk and Asadauskaite have Olympic experience, which will help calm those nerves.

I would be remiss not to mention several other contenders. Because while athletes like Schoneborn and Spence are consistent, everyone can have that one event where they perform at their best. So to make it all the more interesting, remember to also watch these ladies:

Samantha Murray

Samantha Murray is Great Britain’s other team member and like Spence, she’s had an amazing year. She may also be one of the happiest athletes there is competing in London. Murray has fought to be where she is now, showing the spirit of a true Olympian, never giving up. She’s a shining example of the rewards which come from perseverance and a strong work ethic. Now she’s an Olympian! Don’t count her out!

Elodie Clouvel

Amelie Caze and Elodie Clouvel are France’s two best pentathletes. Caze is ranked 10^th, and she’s had some good results this year. Clouvel must be included for one reason and that is to watch her in swimming. Clouvel narrowly missed making France’s 2008 Olympic swim team, and when she competes in the swim event of Modern Pentathlon, she is lightning fast compared to all others.

Chloe Esposito

Australia’s Chloe Esposito has had a fantastic year and had great finishes at two of her world cup events. Esposito will be impressive in the swim event but should also do well in the combined event. What makes Esposito’s story all the more endearing is that she is coached by her father who was also a pentathlete at the 1984 Olympics.

Honestly, while I might have my favorites, this sport seems to have the most likable athletes, and because of this, I’d be happy with anyone winning; and as hard as these athletes train, they deserve it! Don’t miss Modern Pentathlon!

Faster, Higher, Stronger.