THE PENTATHLON
by Group Captain (Retd) Peter Woodman
Combat Readiness :
Did you know that many of today?s organized games had originated as training systems for the combat soldier of ancient times? Wars were frequent, bloody, and long drawn out. The soldier of those times dealt only in close, hand-to-hand combat. Spears, swords, and daggers were their primary weapons?and fitness was essential for survival. During peace time, fitness was maintained through games that were closely related to combat. These soon became a regular feature of the country?s social calendar?held perhaps, to coincide with a harvest festival or a religious occasion. The Olympics and the three other Pan-Hellenic Games of Ancient Greece were among the earliest forms of these events; the earliest written record of the Olympics was 776 B.C. The main events included chariot racing, wrestling, foot races over different distances, and boxing?and the Pentathlon, which was the most glamorous event of them all.
The Classical Pentathlon :
The name derives from the Greek words for “Five Competitions.” These were Stadion (a short distance race), Wrestling, the Long Jump, the Javelin Throw, and the Discus Throw. Each of these events was considered to be useful in battle, and penthaletes were considered the most skilled among all. Competitors in the javelin and discus throws were permitted five attempts each, and only the longest would count. It is likely that the long jump also involved five attempts. It was one of the toughest events of the Games, for it had to be completed in one day—and like the other competitions, in the nude! The winner of the pentathlon was declared the hero of the day, and was crowned with wreath of olive leaves— a symbol of fame and honor, far more treasured and desired than the multi-crore soft drink endorsement that the “athletes” of today strive for.
The Modern Pentathlon :
The modern Pentathlon was introduced by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games. First conducted in 1912, the event was modeled after its classical predecessor of ancient Greece. The cavalry is the cutting edge of every army in the world. (Remember the ?Charge of the Light Brigade??) Coubertin?s pentathlon simulated the skill level required of a cavalry trooper of the nineteenth century operating behind enemy lines. He had to ride an unfamiliar horse, fight with pistol and sword, swim and run. The events of the modern Pentathlon are therefore Epée fencing, Pistol shooting, 200 meter Freestyle Swimming, Horseback Show Jumping, and a 3000 meter Cross-Country run?all to be completed on one day! The US Army?s General George Patton of WW II fame was an outstanding athlete of his time. He stood fifth in the pentathlon the first time it was held?he was a cavalry man, of course.
Thanks to the Bison Division of Secunderabad, sports lovers of the twin cities will be privileged to witness a world-class Pentathlon conducted in India for the very first time. The competitors are mainly from Europe and the USA, and are truly the world?s super combat soldiers?not steroid-stuffed marionettes from Bollywood or Tollywood. The Military World Games requires the pentathlete to be an outstanding swordsman, marksman, horseman, and athlete. The competitors that we will witness during Oct 14-21 this year will be all of these, and more. True Heroes. |