UIPM 2021 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest: Back to business after a fallow year 

• Athletes resume quest for Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification points  

• Thirty-three of world’s 40 top-ranked athletes gather in Hungary 

• Strict COVID-19 Coronavirus protocols in place for competition  

After a fallow year, the world’s leading pentathletes are ready to resume their competitive journeys on the road to Tokyo. 

The capital of Hungary plays host to UIPM 2021 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest (March 24-28) and competition is sure to be fierce with points counting towards qualification for the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 

All UIPM competitions have been suspended for 13 months due to the global effort to combat the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. That makes the season-opener a vital competition even for those athletes who already know they will represent their countries in Tokyo four months from now.  

Not only are Olympic qualification points and medals on the line at the University of Public Service, Ludovika, but also crucial performance insights and form indicators. 

With so much at stake, a truly world-class field has gathered in the centre of Europe, with 17 of the world’s top 20 women’s pentathletes competing in the Hungarian capital along with 16 of the top 20 men. 

All six individual medallists from the UIPM 2019 Pentathlon World Championships will be on the start line, including reigning champions Volha Silkina of Belarus and Valentin Belaud of France and men’s world No.1 Joseph Choong of Great Britain, along with women’s world No.1 Elodie Clouvel (FRA). 

World No.1 Joseph Choong (GBR) will relish the chance to take on the reigning world champion Valentin Belaud (FRA)

Road to Tokyo  

With 46 quota places for the Olympic Modern Pentathlon allocated so far, and 72 places in total up for grabs, there are still opportunities for many of the world’s most versatile athletes to reach their coveted destination.  

Six automatic places (three for women and three for men) will be on offer during the seasonal showpiece – the UIPM 2021 Pentathlon World Championships – taking place in Cairo (EGY) from June 8-14.  

Between now and then, the key battleground will take place around the UIPM 2021 Pentathlon World Cup, with two legs in Sofia (BUL) following the season-opener in Budapest (HUN) before the top 72 athletes return to Hungary for the Pentathlon World Cup Final. 

Athletes can accrue points at each of these competitions and improve their standing in the UIPM Olympic Games Ranking, which will determine most of the remaining places at the Games. Click to see the latest rankings for women and men. 

COVID-19 protocol 

UIPM 2021 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest will be run according to a set of COVID-19 protocols designed to prioritise the health and safety of all participants – athletes, coaches, technical officials and organisers. 

The protocol is applied to all aspects of the competition from inbound and outbound travel to accommodation and local transportation, with the intention of minimising risk of COVID-19 infections. Special publications including the Event Organizers Infection Prevention Guidelines and Operational Vade Mecum can be found at UIPM’s COVID-19 information page. 

President’s statement 

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann commented: “The first UIPM Pentathlon World Cup of the season is always an exciting moment for our athletes. But this is no ordinary season, and you will see that in the intensity of competition as the athletes push for the best possible finishing position to improve their chances of qualifying for the Olympic Games. 

“The last year 2020 was very difficult for everybody because of the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, not only in our sporting movement but across all parts of business, society and everyday life. The challenge continues in 2021 but I am happy to see and learn that athletes continued to prepare for the Olympic year with support from their clubs and federations. 

“The health and safety of all participants is our priority. In the Hungarian Modern Pentathlon society we have very experienced people organising our competitions, and we are very grateful that everything is so well prepared. 

“Let’s enjoy together a great Olympic year while taking care of our health – we can overcome the pandemic through discipline, following all advice from the medical experts.” 

Competition schedule 

UIPM 2021 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest begins on Wednesday, March 24 with qualification for the Women’s Final (Friday, March 26). The action continues on Thursday, March 25 with qualification for the Men’s Final (Saturday, March 27). The Mixed Relay closes the competition on Sunday, March 28. 

Watch and follow 

As of March 15, 2021, the majority of Modern Pentathlon content on UIPM TV (UIPMTV.org) became available only to subscribers. Live coverage of the Laser Run in each competition – together with highlights from earlier in the day – remains free to view.  

Annual subscriptions will be priced at €29.99 with a special 50% discount (code: UIPM50%OFF) available throughout 2021, reducing the price to €14.95.  

• Sign up here for your UIPM TV Yearly Pass or register for free content  

Viewers who do not wish to subscribe can register their details on the site to access the free coverage, which will not be available anywhere else online. More information. 

Follow World Pentathlon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram throughout the Pentathlon World Cup for additional content, and visit the UIPM website or download the “UIPM Central” app to keep track of results.