Olympic gold for Kate French in Modern Pentathlon
The 30 year old trains at the University of Bath
Kate French has won a gold medal in Modern Pentathlon at Tokyo 2020.
The 30 year old, who trains at the University of Bath, was in fifth place after a strong performance in the showjumping.
But she took first place in the final event, the laser run – which sees competitors running laps before taking five shots at a target with a laser gun.
She’s now Britain’s second champion at the event, after Stephanie Cook in Sydney 2000.
What is Modern Pentathlon?
Modern pentathlon comprises five different disciplines – fencing, freestyle swimming, showjumping, and the laser run, which combines running 800m laps with firing a laser pistol at a target.
A key part of the showjumping part of the event is that the horse is an unfamiliar one – riders are given twenty minutes to bond with their horse.
This element of the contest scuppered the hopes of several competitors in Tokyo, with Germany’s Annika Schleu leaving the arena in tears after her horse Saint Boy refused several jumps.
The aim of the event is to simulate the kind of tasks an infantry soldier behind enemy lines may have to face – though there’s dispute over who created it.