Paris 2024 Olympic Modern Pentathlon hailed as ‘groundbreaking success’ as spectators and Olympic Family thrilled in Versailles

• More than 63,000 spectators pack out stands to create unforgettable event
• IOC President, Vice President and Members watch spellbinding Finals
• President Dr Schormann tells Olympic fans to expect another event at LA28

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games Modern Pentathlon has been hailed as a “groundbreaking success” after the world’s most versatile athletes thrilled more than 63,000 spectators and millions on TV and online.

Among the spectators at the Women’s Final on August 11 – won by world record-breaker Michelle Gulyas of Hungary with Elodie Clouvel delivering silver for host nation France and 21-year-old world champion Seungmin Seong of Korea claiming bronze – were International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Dr Thomas Bach, IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr and IOC Member HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.

IOC Member Daina Gudzineviciute, Sydney 2000 Olympic trap shooting champion and President of the Lithuania National Olympic Committee, presented the medals to the Women’s Final medallists.

One day earlier on August 10, newly-elected IOC Member Aya Medany OLY attended the Men’s Final and presented medals during the ceremony when new champion Ahmed Elgendy of Egypt was honoured with his gold medal alongside silver medallist Taishu Sato of Japan and Giorgio Malan of Italy.

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann accompanied both IOC Members during the Modern Pentathlon ceremonies and presented the medallists with gifts.

The IOC dignitaries were joined by National Olympic Committee leaders and Government officials in attending a hugely successful four days of competition the Palace of Versailles and North Paris Arena, with almost all 15,000 seats occupied across the three days in Versailles and thousands more watching the Fencing Ranking Round in Villepinte.

The event marked the end of an era for Olympic Modern Pentathlon with Riding featuring for the last time, to be replaced by Obstacle. It was fitting that the last-ever horse ride was successfully negotiated by Clouvel (FRA), who would become a two-time Olympic medallist in her home city only one hour afterwards.

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “This four-day Olympic competition was a groundbreaking success for Modern Pentathlon, and I am overjoyed that so many spectators, so many families with children, and so many dignitaries from the IOC and other important stakeholders could join us for special days in Paris.

“Our athletes are always great ambassadors for Modern Pentathlon but they took this to a new level with the high level of performance and also perfect sportsmanship in front of a huge global audience watching on TV and online.

“Paris 2024 was a very special moment for the multisport created by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, in his home city. And we will do everything to deliver an event that raises the bar again in Los Angeles in four years’ time. Riding may be in our past now, Obstacle is in our present. One thing is permanent: that the Modern Pentathlon seeks to identify the ultimate athlete competing in the Olympic Games.

“Our pentathletes certainly lived up to that reputation along with the many incredible athletes in other sports who made Paris 2024 a stunning success.”

Military sport partnership renewal

Also during the Women’s Final on August 11, UIPM President Dr Schormann signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with Col Nilton Rolim, President of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), formalising a renewal of the historic alignment between Modern Pentathlon and military sport.

President Dr Schormann said: “UIPM is rightfully proud of its historic military association, which goes right back to the original vision of Baron Pierre de Coubertin to create an Olympic multisport based on the skills required of a cavalry soldier. For many years, athletes who competed in the Olympic Modern Pentathlon held the rank of military officer.

“To this day, many of our National Federations are closely linked to their national militaries, enabling athletes to combine their sporting careers with military service. And so we are delighted to have renewed our long and important relationship with CISM, which is a global champion of the ideals of friendship through sport, fostering peace, and building bridges between nations through athletic competition.”

CISM President Col Nilton Rolim added: “This partnership with UIPM represents a new chapter in our efforts to promote military sports and strengthen our presence in international competitions. By working together, we aim to create opportunities for athletes to excel and to further the development of sports within our respective communities.”

The signing of the new MoU is expected to pave the way for joint initiatives, including the organisation of events and training programs and an exchange of opportunities for athletes and officials from both organisations. It is designed to bring the two communities more closely together in the interest of providing more opportunities to more athletes from more countries in the exciting future of UIPM Sports.