Stars turn out for televised Kremlin Cup

The 2016 Kremlin Cup in Moscow (RUS) was hailed as a resounding success after a star-studded competition was broadcast across seven countries.

Alexander Lesun (RUS), the Rio 2016 Olympic Games men’s champion, won gold alongside Donata Rimshaite (RUS) in the single-day competition on October 2, which comprised a Mixed Relay format.

Numerous other Olympians and world-class pentathletes took part in the well-attended competition, which was televised by MATCH TV not only in Russia but also in Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Poland and Lithuania.

Second place went to Poland (Anna Maliszewska & Sebastian Stasiak), who finished 20 seconds behind Russia, and third place to Lithuania (Dovidas Vaivada & Gintare Veckauskaite).

Stasiak (POL) said: "The facilities in Moscow are always so well prepared and so is the organisation. It's always nice to compete in Russia and especially in Moscow.

"I think it is uncommon that so many people come to see Modern Pentathlon, and the popularity in Russia is at a very high level. It's nice to see many spectators on the tribunes."

In fifth place was Great Britain (Samantha Murray & James Cooke), and Murray (GBR) said: “At the moment, we just had a break after the Olympics and this is fun. It's always great to come to Russia and the Kremlin Cup is well organised, the Russian federation do an excellent job.

“We love pentathlon, it's our passion, so to come here and compete in the Kremlin Cup is really good. I love this competition."

World No.2 Cooke (GBR) added: "The Olympics was obviously the big focus for this year, and it was a special year, but then it's also nice to come to this competition and have a little bit of fun as well as compete with your friends. It's nice to be here."

France also sent a very high-class team comprising Rio 2016 Olympic women’s silver medallist Elodie Clouvel and Moscow 2016 World Championship individual winner Valentin Belaud. They finished seventh but they only had good things to say about the event.

Belaud (FRA) said: "It's a nice place for a modern pentathlete to compete. We have good horses and good organisation here. This was the last competition of the season for us and it gave us a lot of pleasure to participate. This is Lesun's country and Lesun is Olympic champion."

Clouvel (FRA) added: "It's amazing for me to be an Olympic medallist. It has been crazy for me and now, after this competition, I will just relax and take a holiday."

Another Rio Olympian taking part was Haydy Morsy (EGY), who said: "The organisation is so good here. It is not my first time here and everything is nice: the food, the weather, the competition, everything.”