How far do pentathletes swim, and how is it scored?
B · Beginner · Obstacle and swimming · 5 of 7Seniors swim 100 metres freestyle, in heats seeded by the standings so far. A time of 1:10.00 scores 250 points, and every 0.20 seconds faster or slower is one point more or less. Any stroke may be used. Small faults cost 10 points, and staying under water beyond 15 metres means elimination.
How it works
- The distance: 100 m from under 13 to senior, and 50 m for under 11 and under 9.
- Freestyle: "Pentathletes may swim and change any stroke or style."
- Touching: the swimmer must touch the end of the pool with some part of the body at the turn and the finish.
- The start: a dive from the blocks on the starter's signal.
- Under water: allowed for up to 15 m after the start and each turn. By then the head must have broken the surface.
- The points: 1:10.00 is 250, and each 0.20 seconds is 1 point.
- Heats in a final: by total points so far, with the leaders in the last heat.
- Timing: to a hundredth of a second, electronically at the top level.
- Ten points off: for a step on the bottom, not touching at the turn, leaving the lane or the water early and for a false start.
- Elimination: for not surfacing by 15 m, delaying the start or using fins, webbed gloves and similar aids.
- Disqualification: for deliberately obstructing another swimmer, using oil or grease or refusing to wear conforming swimwear.
- Swimwear: approved textile suits, with goggles and caps allowed.
The glossary has swimming, the points tables, the modern pentathlon points entry, the relay, the semi-finals and finals entry and the pentathlete.
Tricky cases
An athlete swims 1:04.20. How many points is that?
279: the swim is 5.8 seconds faster than 1:10.00, and each 0.20 seconds is a point.
Can an athlete swim breaststroke?
Yes. Any stroke or style may be used and changed during the race.
An athlete moves before the signal but does not fall in. What is the penalty?
10 points. Jumping or falling in before "Take your marks" is treated more severely, as elimination.
Was the swim not 200 metres?
It was in earlier editions. The edition read sets 100 m for seniors.
Why the rule exists
The swim rewards pure speed over a short distance, with a points scale that makes every fifth of a second count. Seeding the last heat with the leaders lets the athletes who are fighting for the lead see each other, and the crowd see them, in adjacent lanes.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Under 13 to senior | 100 m; 250 points at 1:10.00; 1 point for 0.20 seconds | UIPM 4.1.1; Appendix 4B1 |
| Under 11 and under 9 | 50 m; 250 points at 0:45.00; 1 point for 0.50 seconds | UIPM Appendix 4B1 |
| Relay | 2 x 50 m, or 2 x 25 m for the youngest | UIPM 4.1.1 |
| An injured athlete | May start in the water holding the rail | UIPM 4.4.1 iii |
From the rule book
UIPM, 2026 Modern Pentathlon Competition Rules and Equipment Regulations (as of 1 February 2026), Articles 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 4.8, with Appendices 4A and 4B1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: UIPM Competition Rules and Equipment Regulations, 1 February 2026 (PDF).