The Modern Pentathlon was introduced at the 1912 Olympics as a test of military skills or, at least, the skills that were traditionally taught at military academies of the time. It was designed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the chief founder of the modern Olympic Games.

The concept behind the competition is that a military courier sets out on horseback to carry a message. Along the way, he has to fight a duel with epees, use a pistol, swim across a river, and then run through the woods to reach his goal.

The events have changed somewhat since 1912. The equestrian event, originally a 5000m cross-country ride against time, is now a 400m show jump course. The swimming event has been cut from 300m to 200m. The cross-country running event was cut from 4000m to 3000m. The shooting event, originally a 22-caliber pistol shoot from 25m at turning targets, has become a 10m air pistol shoot at a stationary target. As in 1912, the fence has remained a round robin competition, with a single touch deciding each match.

The competition originally took place over five days, with a single event on each day. In 1984 the competition was shortened to four days, with the shoot and run taking place on the fourth day. Since 1996, all five events have taken place on a single day.