Athletes from four countries return to competition in Drzonkow (POL)

Poland has become one of the first countries in 2020 to host an international competition – with the help of three of its neighbours.

Athletes from Austria, Czech Republic and Germany travelled to Drzonkow (POL) to take part in the Polish National Open 2020 and Polish Championship (Under 17).

In all there were 148 competitors, demonstrating the benefits of a multilateral approach as UIPM’s member federations carefully plan the resumption of competition after the easing of national lockdowns designed to limit the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

The competition took part on August 22 and 23 in one of Europe’s most established Modern Pentathlon venues, which hosted the UIPM 2019 Pentathlon Junior World Championships and will do so again in 2022.

Rio 2016 Olympian Anna Maliszewska won the senior women’s event, with team-mates Rebecca Langrehr and Anna Matthes (GER) claiming 2nd and 3rd respectively.

There was also success for the host nation in the senior men’s event, with Daniel Lawrynowicz (POL) and Szymon Staskiewicz (POL) winning gold and bronze respectively. They were joined on the podium by world No.5 Marvin Dogue (GER).

A spokesperson for the local organising committee said: “The competition took place without participation of fans and in compliance with all sanitary restrictions in force in Poland. Competitors and coaches showed great understanding and discipline.”

Drzonkow (POL) will also host the Polish Open Senior Championships and Polish U19 Championships from September 3-6.

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “I would like to thank the President of the Polish Modern Pentathlon Association, Anna Bajan, and her super team for organising this competition. Thanks to all athletes who participated. This gives all of us a lot of hope for the near future.

“I hope that more National Federations will be in a position soon to organise competitions and that training possibilities are becoming better and better. We need more open training facilities for our athletes worldwide.”