Throwback Thursday: From an Olympian to a General

February 16, 2017
Photo from WIRED Magazine

General George S. Patton is known for his bravery and leadership in World War II, but before becoming a national hero, he was an Olympic athlete.

Modern Pentathlon was introduced to the Summer Olympic Games in 1912. George Patton was the first and only athlete to compete from the United States.

If you’ve been reading our blog posts, you know that Pentathletes compete in a total of five sports: running, shooting, swimming, fencing and showjumping. And yes, Patton did all five at the Olympic Games. The 26-year-old future general, with only two months to train for the sport, placed fifth overall.

We’ll be inducting Patton into the UIPM Hall of Fame at our Opening Ceremonies next Thursday. It is our privilege to honor him for the amazing athletic feats he accomplished in the first Modern Pentathlon.

To learn more about Patton’s experience in the 1912 Olympics, click here.

For more information regarding the Modern Pentathlon World Cup at Fairplex, click here.

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