Ricardo Durão facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ricardo Fernando Durão |
| Born | 13 June 1928 |
| Died | 22 January 2021 (aged 92) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Modern pentathlon |
Ricardo Fernandes Durão (born June 13, 1928 – died January 22, 2021) was a Portuguese athlete. He was known for competing in the sport of modern pentathlon. He even represented his country at the 1952 Summer Olympics!
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Who Was Ricardo Durão?
Ricardo Durão was born in 1928. He grew up to become a talented athlete. He chose to focus on a very special sport called modern pentathlon. This sport tests many different skills.
He lived a long life, passing away in 2021. During his life, he achieved the dream of many athletes: competing in the Olympic Games.
What is Modern Pentathlon?
Modern pentathlon is an Olympic sport. It combines five different sports into one event. Athletes need to be good at many things. It's like a super challenge for the body and mind!
The sport was created by Pierre de Coubertin. He was the founder of the modern Olympic Games. He wanted a sport that would test a soldier's skills. These skills included riding, fencing, shooting, swimming, and running.
The Five Sports
The five parts of modern pentathlon are:
- Fencing: Athletes use an épée, a type of sword. They try to score hits on their opponent. It's all about quick reflexes and strategy.
- Swimming: This is a 200-meter freestyle race. Swimmers need to be fast and strong.
- Horse Riding: Athletes ride a horse they don't know. They must complete a show jumping course. This tests their riding skill and how well they can work with a new horse.
- Laser Run: This is the final event. It combines laser pistol shooting and cross-country running. Athletes run a certain distance, then stop to shoot targets. They repeat this several times. The first person to cross the finish line wins!
Ricardo Durão at the Olympics
Ricardo Durão competed in the modern pentathlon at the 1952 Summer Olympics. These Games were held in Helsinki, Finland. It was a big honor for him to represent Portugal on such a large stage.
Competing in the Olympics is a huge achievement. It means an athlete is among the best in the world. Ricardo Durão's participation showed his dedication and skill in this challenging sport.
