The modern pentathlon has five events.
The name itself points to the answer: “pentathlon” comes from Greek roots meaning a contest involving five events. The modern version was created for the Olympic movement in the early 20th century and was designed to test the broad skills associated with a soldier—fencing, swimming, riding, shooting, and running.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, the competition included fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, and a combined laser-run involving pistol shooting and running. Although shooting and running are combined into one stage, they remain distinct disciplines within the five-part sport.
The format has changed substantially over time. Modern pentathlon was first held at the 1912 Olympics, became a one-day competition in 1996, and introduced laser pistols at the Olympics in 2012. Equestrian show jumping is being replaced by obstacle racing for the sport's planned 2028 Olympic format, but the total remains five events.