Pentathlon and Triathlon  

Kerrie

The Sydney 2000 Games had the first Olympic modern pentathlon for women.  Great Britain won gold and bronze in the women's event.

The modern pentathlon has five events. They are horse riding, fencing, shooting, swimming and running. The athletes must be good in all areas to have a chance to win. The athletes are called pentathletes. Baron Pierre de Courbetin invented the modern pentathlon. He was the man who started the modern Olympic Games in 1896.  

Svatkovsky, from Russia, the winner of the 2000 Pentathlon.

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Triathlon

In a triathlon, athletes swim, ride a bike and run. First, they swim 1½ kilometres in the sea. Then, they ride a bicycle for 40 kilometres. After they ride their bikes, they run 10 kilometres. They change their clothes quickly between each part of the race. To be in the triathlon, you must be very fit. Athletes who do this sport are called triathletes. 

The Sydney 2000 Games will be the first Olympic Games with triathlon events.

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