An appreciation of leadership: Olympic family attends reception for UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann in Paris (FRA)

• IOC Vice President and Presidents of ASOIF and IBU pay tribute with speeches
• Coubertin family and Modern Pentathlon athletes also represented
• President Schormann cuts cake commemorating 31st year of tenure

PARIS, FRANCE: August 5, 2024: Olympic leaders, close colleagues and friends attended a special reception held in appreciation of the leadership of Dr Klaus Schormann.

The UIPM President has served in his role since 1993, contributing exceptional service to Modern Pentathlon and the Olympic movement and building a unique legacy, and recently announced his decision not to stand for re-election at the 73rd UIPM Congress in November 2024.

The reception, hosted by the World Olympians Association (WOA) at OLY House Paris 2024, attracted guests from across the Olympic family. Speakers included Francesco Ricci Bitti (President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations and Honorary Life President of the International Tennis Federation), Dr Uğur Erdener (Vice President of the International Olympic Committee, President of the Turkish Olympic Committee and World Archery) and Olle Dahlin (President of the International Biathlon Union).

Francesco Ricci Bitti (left), Dr Ugur Erdener (centre) and Olle Dahlin (right) gave a speech in tribute to Dr Klaus Schormann

Other dignitaries present on the evening of August 3 included Ingmar de Vos (President of the International Equestrian Federation who will succeed Mr Ricci Bitti as ASOIF President), Kee-Heung Lee (IOC Member and President of the Korean Olympic Committee), Dr Chungwon Choue and Jeongkang Seo (World Taekwondo President and Secretary General respectively).

Speakers who paid tribute to President Dr Schormann during the event included Yasser Hefny OLY (Chair of the UIPM Athletes Committee) and Alexandra de Navacelle de Coubertin (President of the Association Familiale Pierre de Coubertin). President Dr Schormann presented Ms Navacelle de Coubertin with an oak tree cup in recognition of her direct relative’s unparalleled contribution to the Olympic Games.

A welcome was given by Joel Bouzou OLY (WOA President and UIPM Vice President), while Rob Stull OLY (President of the NORCECA Modern Pentathlon Confederation) played the role of Master of Ceremonies.

ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “His legacy is unequal, in my opinion – forever. His service lasts more than 31 years; he started much earlier in Germany and in other capacities. On top of that I would say he has unique values, being open-minded to innovation. His sport was really under scrutiny for a long time in the Olympic programme discussion. It has now been protected and confirmed in Los Angeles 2028.”

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann presented Alexandra de Navacelle de Coubertin with an oak tree cup

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “I was very happy to see how many people from the Olympic Family came together for a reception linked to my service of 31 years as UIPM President and four years as Vice President for both sports, Modern Pentathlon and Biathlon.

“We had leaders from National Olympic Committees and International Federations, International Olympic Committee Members, friends and media people and sponsors – all joining this special occasion in the World Olympians House to give a clear message: always in my life I wanted to be close to the athletes.

“I was very touched by the speeches delivered by the Presidents of ASOIF and the Turkish NOC and World Archery, linked to my life achievement, and by the way Yasser Hefny addressed what I did for athletes, for the Olympic movement and for our sport - created by Coubertin.

“Alexandra de Navacelle de Coubertin also gave an address underlining how strongly I have served in the Union, together with my colleagues in the Union, to protect the legacy of Coubertin and take care of the heritage of Coubertin.

“For me the purpose was not to say bye bye, it was to take the opportunity during the Olympic Games as an active IF President to say thank you to my colleagues and express what it means to have served so long, and to have been transparent and communicative and never forgetting the people who have escorted and helped me.

“I have to include my wife, who has always been behind me. Without Karin I could never have achieved what I have done in almost 60 years in the Olympic movement.

“The message from the President of the IBU, Olle Dahlin, was also very important for me. We must not forget that Pentathlon and Biathlon were together for 40 years, under UIPMB, and we have a great friendship and a shared heritage.

“It was wonderful that we could have this evening, and I am looking forward after the Congress to hopefully continue to serve the Union in some capacity. I wish all nations and athletes big success in the Olympic Games in Paris – after 130 years of the modern Olympic Games and 100 years since the second Olympic games in Paris. We send out the message that sport can help create a better, more peaceful world.”