Preview: Modern Pentathlon Thrills at Paris Olympic Games

The modern pentathlon at the Paris Olympics will spotlight top athletes like Joe Choong and Elena Micheli. Notable storylines include a revamped competition format and significant changes for future events. Key dates include men's and women's finals on August 10 and 11, respectively. Reigning champions are Joe Choong and Kate French.

The modern pentathlon is set to captivate audiences at the Paris Olympics, with top contenders like Joe Choong from Britain and Italy's Elena Micheli taking center stage. Choong comes off a stellar performance with gold in Tokyo and two world titles, while Micheli seeks her first Olympic medal.

Fans will witness a unique blend of disciplines: swimming, running, fencing, equestrian, and laser pistol shooting, all set against the historic backdrop of the Palace of Versailles. The men's and women's finals will be held in a new, condensed 90-minute format to enhance viewer engagement.

This year marks the end of the equestrian segment in modern pentathlon, following controversies at the Tokyo Games. The sport will introduce a Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a change that has sparked fierce debate among top athletes.

(With inputs from agencies.)