• Students will learn about two sports in the Olympics, modern pentathlon and the triathlon.

• Students will compare and contrast this information using a Venn diagram.

• Students will apply this information to create a new multi-event sport using sports that may or may not be currently used in the Olympics.

• Students will create a poster promoting this new multi-event sport.

• Knowledge of how Venn diagrams work.

• Paper

• Writing utensils

• Blank Venn diagram (optional)

• Poster size art paper and coloring supplies

Discuss multi-event sports as a whole and what purpose they serve.  Example:  Modern pentathlon was created using the following metaphor: A soldier is delivering a message from the war front. His horse dies along the way, and the soldier (competitor) has to fight his way clear by sword and pistol before swimming across a river and running to the final destination to deliver his message. (From: British Olympic Association - Modern Pentathlon). The triathlon pulls together various sports of high interest.

Discuss the different sporting elements within the triathlon and the modern pentathlon and put that information into a Venn diagram.   

Discuss any similarities and differences between these two sports.

Ask students to brainstorm ideas for a new multi-event sport.  Brainstorming can take place as whole class, in small groups, or individually.  This will help students generate ideas about which sports to include.   

Students will select the sports they wish to include in their new sport and write an explanation about why it was created.  An example would be The King of the Surf. The sports would be surfing, skimboarding, boogie boarding and body surfing. The sport would highlight the best multi-ability surfer there is.

Students will create a colorful poster promoting this new sport.  Posters should include the various sporting activities and the reasoning the creation of  multi-event sport.

• If assistance is needed for the creation of a Venn diagram and other graphic organizers, please use the Graphic Organizer Web site .

• Technology not required to complete this lesson.

USOC: Modern Pentathlon : Information and links to the history and rules of the modern pentathlon.

Trithalon: Frequently Asked Questions : Answers to frequently asked question about triathlons.

British Olympic Association:  Modern Pentathlon : Discusses the history and provides different links about the modern pentathlon.

• Computer(s)
• Internet Connection

• Create a poster promoting one sport.

• Find pictures of people doing the sports in their multi-event sport and make a collage instead of creating a poster.

Gifted Students :

• Do a three-part Venn diagram with three sports. Check out VennDiagram.com to see how its done.

• Put together a video or digital slide show of their new sport.

• Create a TV commercial of an athlete participating in this world sport.