Feb 4thThe Winter Olympics

http://gearpatrol.com/2014/01/30/ode-winter-pentathlon/

The above link describes the winter pentathlon, a one time event held in 1948.  The event is described thusly:

“A winter pentathlete in 1948 did the following in rapid succession: cross country skiing, shooting, downhill skiing, horse riding and…fencing.”  ”

When the pentathlon was reintroduced in 1912, it was said that it:

“tested a man’s moral qualities as much as his physical resources and skills, producing thereby the ideal, complete athlete”

The modern pentathlon as explained by wikipedia:

“The modern pentathlon is an Olympic sport that comprises five events: fencing, 200 m freestyle swimming, show jumping, and a final combined event of pistol shooting, and a 3200 m cross-country run.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_pentathlon

I enjoy downhill skiing, shooting, and horseback riding, but I’ve never competed as a skier.  I’d love to try cross country skiing and fencing.  The only competitive shooting I’ve done is with shotguns (and 22s as a boy scout), but I do know my way around a pistol.  I’ve also done some show jumping as a young man.  My point is that I’d love to see the winter pentathlon reintroduced.  That would definitely be my favorite sport to watch.  As it stands how, I’ll probably only watch ice hockey and maybe some biathlon.

The Olympics start on the 6th, but most coverage starts on the 8th.

http://www.sochi2014.com/en/schedule-and-results