The sculpture weighed in at 30 kilograms and was put on display for athletes to see during the Games in the Brazilian city.

It was created by German artist Karlheinz Oswald and will now be housed in the Olympic Museum in Rio de Janeiro, following the conclusion of the Games.

The idea was conceived by the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee through its President Prof Norbert Müller, and UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann.

De Coubertin, widely credited as the founder of the modern Olympics, succeeded in having a version of the ancient Games highlight of the pentathlon incorporated into the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games. 

It has remained in the Olympic programme ever since, retaining its essential elements despite several significant modernisations.

The bust was presented to Rio 2016 by Schormann, who was joined at a ceremony by Jacques de Navacelle de Coubertin, Baron Pierre's great nephew.

UIPM secretary general Shiny Fang, the Mayor of the Olympic Village Janeth Arcain and the vice president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, Augusto Heleno, were also in attendance.

Dr Schormann said: "The purpose of this donation is to remember and emphasise the importance of the founder of the Modern Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin.

"Modern pentathlon is a special sport and the ancient pentathlon was the only sport created for the Olympic Movement. 

"Modern pentathlon is a living legacy in the Olympic Movement.”

Russia's Aleksander Lesun won the men's modern pentathlon title at Rio 2016, with Chloe Esposito claiming the women's title.