UIPM 2023 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships: Q&A with Event Director Rebecca Leach

The historic and beautiful city of Bath (GBR) will play host to the UIPM 2023 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships from August 19-28.

In the first of a new series of articles building up to the season’s flagship event, Event Director Rebecca Leach tells us about her vision and plans for the World Championships. Rebecca is an experienced event consultant who has worked in the sports industry for more than 20 years.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about this year’s World Championships?

A: Absolutely! The UIPM 2023 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships take place over 10 days at the world-class sports facilities at the University of Bath.

The Laser Run World Championships is taking place in the UK for the first time and I’m thrilled that we will be hosting the first-ever Para Laser Run World Championships during the course of this three-day event. 

The Pentathlon World Championships offers direct qualification places for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which I am confident will add to the excitement at the event this summer. 

Q: How was the University of Bath selected as the venue?

A: A number of factors contributed to the choice of venue. A key one is that the University of Bath is a world-class institution and has outstanding sports facilities in the renowned Team Bath Sports training Village (STV).

The University is also home to Pentathlon GB’s national training centre, which has helped produce seven Olympic medallists including Tokyo 2020 champions Joseph Choong (GBR) and Kate French (GBR).

Pentathlon GB hosts this year’s World Championships in the same year as the national modern pentathlon association celebrates its centenary.

Finally, Bath is a beautiful place with a lot of history and vibrant culture and I know it will provide a memorable setting for everyone coming to the Championships.

Q: What is your vision for this year’s event?

A: We want to demonstrate how Modern Pentathlon is evolving through the delivery of an innovative, inclusive and athlete-focused World Championships, widening the global and national appeal of Pentathlon and the other UIPM Sports.

We’ve created an ambitious social impact programme to underpin the Championships that will, for example, mean that all children in Bath and the North East Somerset region have the opportunity to try the sport for themselves.

There is also a Swimming and Laser Run coaching scheme, enabling us to identify and develop new coaching talent to inspire and teach the next generation of athletes. We’re very pleased to be working in partnership with Bath and North East Somerset Council, the University of Bath and UK Sport to deliver this social impact programme and the overall event. 

Q: How are you preparing for the Championships, and what can we expect to see from the athletes?

A: In collaboration with UIPM, we're working hard to ensure that everything is ready for the combined World Championships, from the venue to the logistics to the technology.

We're also excited to see what the athletes will bring to the competition. We're expecting to see some incredible performances, as well as some dramatic moments and unexpected twists and turns. Ultimately, we're just excited to showcase the sports of Laser Run and Modern Pentathlon and to provide a platform for these amazing athletes to shine.

Letters of invitation to participate in the UIPM 2023 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships will be sent out to National Federations on April 21. To find out more visit www.wch2023.org