Tribute to Col Guy Troy (1923-2023)

Two days after completing a century of life, one of Modern Pentathlon’s cherished heroes finally came to the end of his journey.

Colonel Guy Troy of United States marked his 100th birthday on March 15 as the oldest living Olympic pentathlete – two days before he passed.

From North Carolina, Col Troy began his international sports career when he joined the United States Military Academy in 1943. In 1951, he was made commander of the Pentathlon Training Centre and led the USA Pan American and Olympic Modern Pentathlon team as athlete and coach.

Troy (USA) won a team gold in the inaugural Pan American Games in Buenos Aires (ARG) in 1951 and duly competed in the Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games, finishing 14th in the individual and 4th in the team event.

After retiring from the military, Col Troy became a farmer and continued his involvement in Modern Pentathlon serving as Secretary and later President of the US Modern Pentathlon Association. As President and Founder of the Pan American Modern Pentathlon Confederation, he was the UIPM representative for North and Central America between 1988 and 1993 and served a member of the board of directors of the US Olympic Committee. He was an Honorary Member of the International Modern Pentathlon and Biathlon Union (UIPMB).

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “I have written to the Troy family to offer my condolences on behalf of the global Modern Pentathlon movement, after hearing that Col Guy Troy passed two days after reaching his 100th birthday milestone. But what a life and legacy he leaves behind!

“We all owe a debt of gratitude to the contribution and service of this great man through the years, in his various roles within the US Modern Pentathlon Association, UIPMB / UIPM, the US Olympic Committee and the Pan American Modern Pentathlon Confederation.

“The Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games was historic as the first Olympics to include a Modern Pentathlon Team event, in which the USA team finished 4th. Also it was historic as the last time the USA fielded an all-military team in our Olympic competition. Col Troy played his part in these historic moments that provide our sport with a heritage to be proud of.”