How to qualify for modern pentathlon at Paris 2024. The Olympics qualification system explained

Modern pentathlon has featured on the Olympic programme since Stockholm 1912. The women's competition was added prior to Sydney 2000.

The sport is based on the principle of the complete athlete, who is skilled in a set of five disciplines.

It all starts with fencing (épee). Then the athletes compete in 200m freestyle swimming. The third event of the day is equestrian jumping. Finally, the combined event - running and laser shooting, also known as laser-run - ends the competition.

The best athletes in each discipline earn points and have priority at the beginning of the next event, until the final combined event defines the podium.

The Paris 2024 modern pentathlon competition will take place from 8 to 11 August 2024 at the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Nord Arena.

Paris 2024 will feature the same number of athletes as Tokyo 2020: 72 (36 in the women's competition and 36 in the men's). Each National Olympic Committee (NOC) can qualify a maximum of two athletes by gender, for a total of four.

Learn more about the modern pentathlon qualification system for Paris 2024 below.

READ MORE: Paris 2024: The quest for Olympic qualification begins.

How many athletes will compete?

A total of 72 athletes will compete in the modern pentathlon competition of Paris 2024, with 36 in the women’s competition and 36 in the men’s. It is the same number of athletes as Tokyo 2020.

Each NOC can qualify four athletes for the Games - two men and two women. Spots are distributed to athletes by name, however NOCs with more than two ranked pentathletes per gender may decide which two will compete at the Games.

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What is the modern pentathlon qualification pathway to Paris 2024?

There will be a total of 36 quota places for both the men’s and women’s competitions, with 33 distributed through competitions, one quota place for the host country and two universality places.

Qualification events

UIPM (International Union of Modern Pentathlon) 2023 World Cup Final

One quota place.

• If a continental competition takes place before the 2023 UIPM World Cup Final, the Cup takes precedence. Therefore, the continental quota place will go to the best athlete placed in the tournament other than the one or the one who got the quota place at the 2023 UIPM World Cup.

Continental Championships - between 1 January and 31 December 2023

20 quota places.

• Africa: one quota place

• Pan America: five quota places (maximum of one per NOC): 1st place, no matter if from NORCECA or South America, 2 highest places NORCECA, 2 highest places South America

• Asia: five quota places (maximum one per NOC)

• Europe: eight quota places (maximum one per NOC)

• Oceania: one quota place

UIPM 2023 World Championships (Bath, England)

Three quota places.

• If the three highest classified athletes have already obtained the quota place through the UIPM 2023 World Cup Final or the respective continental championships, the quota place will be reallocated to the best athlete placed in the UIPM ranking of 17 June 2024, not qualified yet.

UIPM 2024 World Championships (place TBD)

Three quota places.

• If the three highest classified athletes have already obtained a spot through the UIPM 2023 World Cup Final, the UIPM 2023 World Championships or the respective continental championships, the quota place will be reallocated to the best-placed athlete in the UIPM rankings of 17 June 2024, not qualified yet.

Olympic Ranking

Six quota places will be awarded to pentathletes who have not yet won a quota place from the above qualifying events. The distribution will be based on the highest ranked in the UIPM Olympic Ranking of 17 June 2024

The ranking is based on the athletes' performance in competitions between 17 June 2023 and 17 June 2024, such as: the UIPM 2024 World Cup Series, the UIPM 2024 World Championships and the continental competitions, such as the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games for the Americas.

Host country quota place

France will be entitled to one quota place per gender, if no French athlete has yet qualified.

If an athlete from France has already qualified, the best-placed athlete in the UIPM Olympic Ranking of 17 June 2024 not yet qualified, will secure a place at Paris 2024.

Universality Places

In October 2023 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will invite all NOCs to submit their applications in order to fill the two quota places (for each gender) available under the principle of Universality.

A Tripartite Commission will define, in writing, the filling of these Universality places for the relevant NOCs after the end of the Paris 2024 modern pentathlon qualification period.

Athletes to watch on the pathway to Paris 2024

Athletes from Great Britain topped the podium in both the women’s and men’s competitions of Tokyo 2020, with Kate French and Joe Choong winning gold.

Choong has had an excellent 2022 season and is currently leading the world rankings. With the exception of Rio 2016, British women have medalled at every edition of the Games since the women’s competition was added to the Olympic programme and will once again be aiming for gold in the French capital.

In the men’s competition, both Valentin Prades and Christopher Patte will be aiming for glory on home soil, should they qualify for the Games.

Keep an eye on Michelle Gulyas, who is currently ranked first in the world. Also watch out for Italy’s Elena Micheli who is second in the world rankings and France’s Elodie Clouvel who sits third and will be eager to impress on home soil.

Modern pentathlon qualification timeline to Paris 2024

• 31 May-4 June 2023: UIPM 2023 World Cup Final;
• 25 June-1 July 2023: European Games - Krakow. Poland
• 1-6 August 2023: 2023 Polist International Ranking Competition - Drzonkow, Poland
• 21-28 August 2023: UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Championships - Bath, Great Britain
• 6-11 September 2023: African/Oceania Championships - Cairo, Egypt
• 20-24 September 2023: Asian Games, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
• 27 September-1 October 2023: 2023 Madrid International Competition, Madrid, Spain
• 14-18 October 2023: 2023 International Yuri Khorishko Memorial, Bishkek 
• 21-27 October 2023: PanAmerican Games, Santiago, Chile 
• 2024 (TBC): UIPM World Cup Series (including World Cup Final)
• 2024 (TBC): UIPM 2024 Pentathlon World Championships;
• 17 June 2024: UIPM Olympic Pentathlon World Ranking list published;
• 17 June 2024: UIPM Olympic qualification system closes 
• 18 June 2024: UIPM to inform NOCs/National Federations of their allocated quota places;
• 24 June 2024: NOCs to confirm the use of allocated quota places to UIPM;
• 25 June 2024: UIPM to confirm the reallocation of any unused quota places;
• 1 July 2024: NOCs to confirm the use of allocated quota places;
• 8 July 2024: Paris 2024 Sports Entries deadline;
• 26 July - 11 August 2024: Olympic Games Paris 2024;
• 8-11 August 2024: Modern pentathlon Olympic competitions at Paris 2024.

Find out more about the qualification system for other sports that will feature at Paris 2024.