UIPM judges earn certification for 2018 Youth Olympic Games

The 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires (ARG) is now less than 200 days away and it’s not only the athletes and organisers who are deep in preparation for this quadrennial celebration of global youth sport.

There are also 47 UIPM judges who are working hard to ensure the competition is the best possible showcase for Olympic sport and the UIPM movement, and the group gathered in Buenos Aires from March 5-10 to undertake a certification programme course.

The course, which was strongly supported by the Argentinian Modern Pentathlon Federation (FAPM), included a practical session which required the judges to referee during a national modern pentathlon competition on March 10.

The programme was led by UIPM Technical Delegate Ana Ruth Orellana (GUA), who said: “It was an honour to work with this amazing group of pentathlon professionals. The Youth Olympic Games is in great hands, it will be an amazing competition!”

Jorge Salas, President of FAPM and the South American Modern Pentathlon Confederation, added: “The 2018 Youth Olympic Games is going to be very special and it was a pleasure to support the UIPM judges certification programme here in Buenos Aires.

“I’m sure the commitment and dedication of this group will help to ensure a fantastic showcase for pentathlon in October and we are all very much looking forward to it.”

The 3rd Youth Olympic Games runs from October 6-18 with three Modern Pentathlon competitions (Men’s Individual, Women’s Individual and Mixed Relay) taking place on October 12-14 and 16.

Three senior Olympians from the pentathlon world will also be involved in Buenos Aires. Women’s Olympic champion Chloe Esposito (AUS) will play the role of Young Change Maker in the Australian team, while Yane Marques (BRA) and Charles Fernandez (GUA) have been appointed by the ICC as Athlete Role Models.