Will New Format Attract More Interest?
How do you promote a sport that's in danger of being bumped from the Olympics by ballroom dancing or surfing? Michael Gostigian, the only American in this year's modern pentathlon, likes to compare the little-publicized sport to one that is much more popular: golf. In recent Olympics, the competition in shooting, fencing, running, swimming and riding was spread out over several days. The schedule made it difficult to attract fans or keep them interested. This time all five events will be held Tuesday, starting with the shooting at 7 a.m. and ending with a 2 1/2-mile run 12 1/2 hours later.

Actor Lundgren to Be U.S. Team Leader
Take one look at action movie star Dolph Lundgren -- who played the Russian boxer in "Rocky IV" -- and you think he might be in the Olympic modern pentathlon competition. Instead, he'll be the team leader, making sure the athletes eat right, catch the bus to practice and generally have the comforts of home as they compete for medals.

Get the Skinny on Modern Pentathlon
The United States' only representative, Michael Gostigian, may do okay, but it's 22-year-old Russian Dmitri Svatkovsky -- already a two-time world champion -- who is the favorite in this year's modern pentathlon. Read a preview of the competition, plus get information on the venues and the format.