Paris 2024 Olympic Games: UIPM conducts stakeholder communications around new Modern Pentathlon format

• Video conference for National Federations follows sessions with athletes and coaches
• President Schormann stresses importance of unity ahead of IOC decision
• 1st Vice-President Samaranch praises ‘pioneering, innovative’ approach

The global UIPM Sports community has taken part in a series of video conferences aimed at increasing awareness of the new Modern Pentathlon format proposed for introduction at the Olympic Summer Games Paris 2024.

Sessions were held online with athletes (November 11), coaches (November 18) and finally National Federations (November 24), giving stakeholders a chance to ask questions and provide feedback on the ambitious changes to the sport submitted to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The IOC Programme Commission will make recommendations about the composition of the Paris 2024 sporting programme on November 30 and the IOC Executive Board will meet to decide the final programme on December 7.

UIPM has applied to the IOC for the introduction of a third medal event, the Mixed Relay, and submitted proposals for a compelling new format that would enable spectators to watch all five disciplines of Modern Pentathlon in a 90-minute showpiece.

The proposed new format is broadcast-friendly and, as a sustainable and cost-effective model for the future of Modern Pentathlon within the Olympic Games, is compatible with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020 and New Norm reforms.

Dr Klaus Schormann, UIPM President, said: “On behalf of the UIPM Executive Board I would like to thank all members of the global Modern Pentathlon family who have taken part in the recent video conferences.

“This is a very important moment in the evolution of our sport, which has seen many big changes already. At a time when our community is separated by the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, I am proud of the way our athletes, coaches and federations have come together for these discussions about the new format proposed for the Olympic Summer Games Paris 2024.

“It is essential that we stand united, especially at this time.”

Juan Antonio Samaranch, UIPM 1st Vice-President and former IOC Vice-President, said: “Modern Pentathlon has been subject to innovation for as long as I can remember. At the Olympic Games it has evolved from a five-day competition to an event that can now be decided in a few hours.

“That said, we must keep developing and reshaping the sport to make it truly modern and attractive to youth audiences.

“We have a responsibility to prove the worth of Modern Pentathlon to the Olympic Games and the proposed changes to the sport for Paris 2024 give us the opportunity to demonstrate that.

“Thankfully, we already have a tradition of innovation and UIPM has been known for a long time as one of the most pioneering International Federations.”

Joel Bouzou OLY, UIPM Vice-President and World Olympians Association President, said: “We are in a competition for survival and we need to always remain open to adaptation and change.

“Although Modern Pentathlon is secure on the programme for Paris 2024, competition will continue to be intense for future Olympic Games and we must always look forward.

“I give my full support to the new format proposed for Paris 2024, which is fully in line with the spirit and the values of its creator, Pierre De Coubertin.”

Shiny Fang, UIPM Secretary General, said: “The three video conferences in November 2020 have provided the ideal opportunity to engage with many of our key stakeholders and I would like to appeal to all of our community to continue communicating with us via existing channels.

“The UIPM Athletes Committee, for example, is composed by members elected by the athletes themselves, through their national federations, and I want to restate the importance of this representative body.

“We are very keen to stay in close communication throughout future Olympic cycles. All stakeholders will have opportunities to help us shape the new format as we continue through the testing and evaluation process in 2021 and beyond.”

Aya Medany, Chair of the UIPM Athletes Committee, said: “I am grateful to all athletes who attended the call on November 11 and asked questions and spoke honestly about their concerns. It was also useful to hear from the National Federations during the video conference on November 24.

“A clear message has been provided to our global community about the need for change and I am grateful to UIPM for the communication.”

Following the New Pentathlon test events in Budapest (HUN) and Cairo (EGY) in November 2020, several NFs have offered to host further test events in 2021.

Sharif Elerian, President of the Egyptian Modern Pentathlon Federation, said during the NF video conference: “As one of the organisers of the test events in November, I would like to say that the new format is excellent and I observed that the people who took part were convinced about it. I congratulate UIPM on their innovation.”