Rio 2016 Modern Pentathlon update: Women's Riding

Oktawia Nowacka (POL) maintained her 12-point lead during the Riding competition and will start the Combined Event first as the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Modern Pentathlon draws towards a thrilling conclusion at Deodoro Stadium, where IOC President Dr Thomas Bach is among the audience. 

Nowacka (POL) and second-placed Elodie Clouvel (FRA) each scored 293 in Riding, picking up only one penalty, and that means they will be separated by 12 seconds in the Combined Event. Melanie McCann (CAN) starts 29 seconds behind the leader and Chloe Esposito (AUS), Chen Qian (CHN) and Natalya Coyle (IRL) are also within 45 seconds of Nowacka (POL).

The Riding competition was truly dramatic, with a number of athletes incurring scores of zero due to multiple refusals or falls. Incredibly, both of the former Olympic champions suffered this fate: first Laura Asadauskaite (LTU) and then Lena Schoeneborn (GER). As a result they begin the Combined Event with a XX handicap.

Five riders enjoyed a maximum score of 300: McCann (CAN), Coyle (IRL), Kim Sunwoo (KOR), Kate French (GBR) and Tamara Vega (MEX). Leydi Laura Moya (CUB) suffered what looked like a nasty injury after falling across an obsctale, but she recovered and showed incredible courage to declare herself fit for the Combined Event.

Earlier, Nowacka (POL) won the Women's Fencing to take a 12-point overall lead into the Riding. And Gulnaz Gubaydullina (RUS) won the Swimming event and set a new Olympic record.

All results from the Rio 2016 Modern Pentathlon competition are available here.

If you have any questions about the format read our essential guide.

And if you are wondering how to watch on TV, follow the link on this page to your national rights-holding broadcaster.