The United States Modern Pentathlon Association

(USMPA) is a dynamic group devoted to the proud

tradition of Modern Pentathlon. Established in

1971 as a corporate entity, the USMPA

administers and promotes the sport of Modern

Pentathlon in the United States. It operates a

National Training Center and its national

headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, where

qualified junior and senior athletes prepare

for national and international competition. Its

coaching staff and consultants are among the

best in the world, and training facilities are

specifically designed for the development of

world-class athletes.

The United States' participation in the sport

of Modern Pentathlon began in 1912 when the

sport was introduced into the Olympic Games in

Stockholm, Sweden. Because the Modern

Pentathlon was originated and formatted to be a

soldier's sport, the U.S. Army became the

organizing body for the USA effort, starting a

military tradition that continued for 73 years.

From 1912 to 1954, the U.S. Military Academy at

West Point served to firmly establish the sport

within the United States, providing almost all

of the participants for seven Olympic Games and

numerous international competitions. The first

American Modern Pentathlon Olympic medalist was

Army Captain Richard W. Mayo. He won a bronze

medal in 1932. In 1936, Charles F. Leonard won

the silver medal and produced the first perfect

score in the shooting event. Leonard's feat was

not equaled in Olympic competition until 1980

by George Horvath of Sweden.

Annual World Championships were inaugurated in

the early 1950s following the formation of the

International Union of Modern Pentathlon and

Biathlon (UIPMB). The UIPMB serves as the

sport's worldwide governing body and provides

technical supervision for Olympic and World

competitions.

In 1956, an open trails competition was

conducted at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, through

which the team was selected for that year's

Olympic Games. For the next 29 years, the

Modern Pentathlon Training Center was

administered at the historic Army Post in San

Antonio, producing virtually every USA team

member for World, Olympic, Pan American and

international competition, and encouraging the

participation of civilian athletes.

U.S. Army operation of the Modern Pentathlon

Training Center came to an end in 1985,

following the USA's silver medal at the Los

Angeles Olympic Games. Facilities at Fort Sam

Houston continue to house various training

activities.

The first major step toward developing the

sport nationwide was taken in 1961 with the

establishment of the Junior Olympic Development

Clinic, a training camp for novice pentathletes

that continues today. Many of the pentathletes

who have represented the USA internationally

began their training in the Development Clinic.

Biathlon, a Winter Olympic sport consisting of

cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, became

a separate association following the Amateur

Sports Act of 1978.

History / Equipment / Glossary / Rules

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