Livingston eyes London bullseye

One hundred years ago, the sport of modern pentathlon was launched at the Olympic Games with a certain George C Patton among the competitors.

The then 16-year-old army lieutenant was a major success in Stockholm in 1912, finishing fifth – in a sport that derives its heritage from a 19th-century cavalry soldier placed behind enemy lines who is required to ride, fight with pistol and sword, swim and run to safety.

Katy Livingston has no designs on going on to a life of military honours as Second World War legend Patton did, despite the 27-year-old Guisborough-born veteran of Beijing admitting her marksmanship could do with a little infantry precision.

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For since winning a clutch of medals at world and European championships and World Cup meets between 2007 and 2009, the boundaries have been changed in the sport and Livingston has struggled to adapt. The modernisation of the modern pentathlon which saw a combining of the run and the pistol shot, has knocked her off target.

“Before 2009 I never felt that I had a weakness that stood out,” she says of her ability to ride, fence, swim, run and shoot. “But I haven’t taken to the combined event (three bursts of a 1km run and three intervals of pistol shot) and I’m still struggling.”

Livingston has to sharpen up her aim quickly, or her past achievements will be forgotten in the race to London 2012.

Based in Bath at the home of British modern pentathlon, Livingston is one of six girls vying for two spots in a home Olympics.

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“Right now the target is just making sure I reach London,” says Livingston, who began winter training a fortnight ago with the express aim of improving her form in the combined event.

“I’ve got to beat my team-mates before I can think about beating the rest of the world at London. It makes next May’s World Championships in Rome all the more important because that’s the final qualifying event.

“Given what prize is at stake, we’re all still great friends. We all understand the situation.”

Of all the sports at London 2012, modern pentathlon could lay claim to be the most unusual, and even Livingston admits it was something she fell into.

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“I got into it gradually. It was not a case of wanting to be a pentathlete,” says the former New Marske running and swimming club member.

“I just started running and swimming and I was encouraged to take up pistol shooting. I’d always wanted to ride horses and my dad said if I learned fencing he would pay for me to ride horses and complete the set.

“Beijing was amazing. London would be on a whole new level.”

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