Ahmed Elgendy in Pentathlon

Ahmed Elgendy of Egypt made history by winning the gold medal in modern pentathlon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first African athlete to achieve this feat. After a challenging show jumping round, where he initially struggled, Elgendy rebounded to secure his position with strong performances in fencing, swimming, and the final laser run, finishing with a total score of 1,555 points, setting a new Olympic record. His victory was marked by a comfortable lead of 13 seconds over Japan's Taishu Sato, who took silver, while Italy's Giorgio Malan secured bronze. The modern pentathlon will see a significant change in 2028, with horse riding being replaced by obstacle course challenges, a decision made in response to concerns over animal welfare. The event was held against the picturesque backdrop of the Palace of Versailles, enhancing the significance of Elgendy's achievement.