UIPM feels confident new obstacle discipline will “transform modern pentathlon”

The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) and their pentathletes are embracing change as their sport shifts from a past with horse riding to a future with obstacle.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) made it very clear that any version of modern pentathlon which includes horse riding will not be considered for LA28 or any future Olympic Games.

To that end, the UIPM recently concluded four Obstacle Discipline Test Events from June to October in Turkey, the Philippines, Italy and Poland. Nearly 300 pentathletes and 100 obstacle athletes were given the chance to train and race on four obstacle courses.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive with a satisfaction rating of nearly 90 percent.

“The future of pentathlon depends on this radical change and I support the long life of this sport and the future of the new generations that are behind me,” said Olympian Tamara Vega, the UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup gold medalist.

Ahmed Elgendy, Tokyo 2020 silver medal winner said, “We need to believe in the future of our sport, so I support the new movement of the game because modern pentathlon deserves to remain as an Olympic sport.”

These quotes, from a UIPM press conference attended by Around the Rings, were music to the ears of the UIPM as they address the future of their sport after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“Having attended all four test events, I can tell you that this new discipline is going to change our sport forever,” said UIPM Athletes Committee Chair Yasser Hefny, OLY. “For athletes, it is an exciting new challenge that will make the sport more accessible around the world. For fans, especially young fans, it will make the sport a lot more appealing. For the Olympic Games, this will attract a whole new audience and add value to the Games.

“The change from riding to obstacle discipline is the biggest transition ever, but I firmly believe that we need to embrace it and move forward to give future generations a chance to enjoy the same opportunities we have had.”

Replacing riding with obstacle will certainly make the sport more affordable and accessible to a much wider global audience, a main concern for the IOC as they debate the sport’s Olympic future.

Many different options were considered as the new fifth discipline since the end of the Tokyo 2020 Games. Riding has been one of the five disciplines since the sport’s Olympic debut in Stockholm 1912. Obstacle was chosen for testing in May 2022.

“We can say without fear of contradiction that obstacle discipline has caught the imagination of our global community, and it has the potential to transform our historic multi-sport into a far more popular, accessible and exciting spectator sport that adds value to the Olympic Games and inspires young people in every country around the world,” said UIPM President Dr. Klaus Schormann.

Despite the positive feedback and enthusiasm for obstacle, nothing beyond Paris 2024 is guaranteed. The IOC will likely finalize the LA28 Olympic Program in the following year.

Motions proposed by the UIPM Executive Board and the National Federations will be put forward at the UIPM Congress November 12-13. The next step will be finalizing a proposal for LA28 to present to the IOC Program Commission.

The key motions on the agenda are expected to include the amendment of UIPM Statues to include obstacle, integrating it into junior and youth levels in 2023 as well as new term limits to improve UIPM governance issues.

The UIPM has been working hard the past two years to transform the sport. Not an easy task, and there has been pushback from athletes and groups who want to keep horse riding as a part of the sport, citing the tradition and history of modern pentathlon.

UIPM Secretary General Shiny Fang understands those concerns, but insists change and growth is the only way moving forward.

“Debate is essential, but I believe we all want the same thing: for modern pentathlon to not only survive but thrive within the Olympic Movement.”