UIPM President’s Activities: September-October 2024

24.09. – 26.09.2024: Olympia, GRE

At the 6th European Olympic Academies (EOA) Congress held in historic Olympia, UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann delivered an impactful speech on “The Olympic Program in the Context of Global Societal Transformation.”

President Dr Schormann highlighted how modern sport must evolve alongside the fast-paced changes in today’s world, particularly addressing the needs and preferences of younger generations, while respecting cultural traditions and diversity.

He also emphasised the growing importance of environmental sustainability in sport, stressing the significant impact of climate change and the need for action within the sporting community. Dr Schormann noted that addressing environmental concerns goes hand in hand with tackling health issues, especially among the youth, who are increasingly disengaged from physical activity and more focused on digital entertainment like mobile phones and gaming consoles.

Reflecting on his leadership of UIPM, Dr Schormann shared insights on how Modern Pentathlon, a sport with a deep Olympic legacy since 1912, has evolved by incorporating new disciplines and sustainability efforts to resonate with younger audiences.

He underlined the importance of continuously modernising the Olympic programme to mirror societal values, promote social inclusion, embrace technological advancements, and adapt to the changing interests of youth, as seen with the introduction of sports like surfing, skateboarding and 3x3 basketball.

In conclusion, Dr. Schormann called for the Olympic Movement to remain a powerful force for good, addressing global challenges such as climate change and public health while ensuring that sport continues to unite and inspire future generations.

During the Congress, President Dr Schormann planted an olive tree alongside European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Spyros Capralos and International Olympic Academy (IOA) President Isidoros Kouvelos as a symbol of the legacy of Modern Pentathlon and in memory of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who introduced the sport to the Olympics in 1912.

This tree had been planted many years ago but was sadly destroyed by a forest fire in recent years. The replanting of the tree represents not only the enduring heritage of Modern Pentathlon but also its deep historical connection to the Ancient Olympic Games, where in 708 BC, Lampis of Sparta became the first Olympic champion in Pentathlon.

08.10. – 10.10.2024: Beijing / Kunming, CHN

A three-day visit to China began with a meeting in Beijing with the Vice President of Xinhua Hulian Electronic Commerce, Gu Zhou, with whom President Dr Schormann discussed future opportunities in sport and culture. They explored potential collaborations, including integrating competitions like Laser Run and Obstacle events into Xinhua Hulian Bookfairs.

During the visit, Mr Zhou gave President Dr Schormann, Secretary General Shiny Fang and Executive Assistant Lena Nussbaumer a tour of the Xinhua Bookstore Headquarters, where they discovered significant historical Chinese manuscripts.

Dr Schormann, along with Mrs Fang and Ms Nussbaumer, also had a productive meeting with Guangyu He (Deputy Party Secretary and VP of Xinhua HQ, and Chairman of Xinhua Hulian Electronic Commerce Co Ltd) and Linyu Wang (Director of the Legal Department of Xinhua Hulian) to further discuss cooperation between the organisations.

In Kunming, the UIPM President held deep discussions with the Yunnan provincial government and the Kunming city government, after which the officials confirmed their absolute faith in the project to build a new UIPM Asia-Pacific Development Centre in the city. The general office of Yunnan’s provincial government stated in a letter to UIPM that “they are attaching great importance to this project”.

Hosted by officials from Yunnan region provincial authorities, President Dr Schormann and Secretary General Mrs Fang were joined at a launch ceremony and site visit by Asian Modern Pentathlon Confederation (AMPC) Vice President Cassandro Choh (also President of the Singapore Modern Pentathlon Association) and AMPC Secretary General Sangkeong Yeo, as well as National Federation Presidents Otgonbaatar Chultem (Mongolia) and Nishanthe Piyasena (Sri Lanka).

21.10. – 23.10.2024: Lausanne, SUI

During the annual International Federations (IF) Forum, UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann, Secretary General Shiny Fang, Events Operations Director Alex França and Executive Assistant Lena Nussbaumer had the opportunity to participate in a series of insightful sessions under the theme ‘Ensuring Your IF is Match Fit and Future-Ready’.

The forum covered a wide range of important topics, including anti-doping measures, strategies for revenue growth, athlete mental health, and the growing influence of e-sports and artificial intelligence in transforming data into engaging content. These discussions were led by international leaders and experts, fostering a rich exchange of ideas.

The event provided an excellent platform for sharing best practice and exploring innovative approaches to ensure the continued success and future readiness of IFs. President Dr Schormann and the team gained valuable insights that will contribute to the ongoing development of sport and its global impact.

28.10. – 01.11.2024: Cascais, POR

A UIPM delegation, led by President Dr Klaus Schormann, attended the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly. This annual gathering brought together NOCs from around the world, providing a platform for fruitful discussions on the future of global sports.

Throughout the assembly, key topics such as the promotion of Olympic values, sustainability in sport and new opportunities for youth engagement were addressed. Dr Schormann and Mrs Fang actively participated in the discussions, sharing insights on how Modern Pentathlon can contribute to the Olympic movement’s goals, while also learning from the experiences of other NOCs.

The event was an excellent opportunity to strengthen relationships with international sports leaders, paving the way for future collaborations.

07.11.2024: Lausanne, SUI

In their last official engagement before UIPM 2024 Congress, UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann and Secretary General Shiny Fang travelled to Olympic House, Headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to meet with IOC President Dr Thomas Bach.

Copyright IOC: Christophe Moratal

President Dr Schormann and Mrs Fang presented the main steps for the future of UIPM focusing on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and beyond. They underlined the depth of support from National Federations in embracing the changes and presenting Modern Pentathlon with the new Obstacle discipline.

IOC President Dr Bach thanked UIPM President Dr Schormann for his long-time engagement and all of his passion for Modern Pentathlon that had secured the sport’s future with numerous changes based on strong innovation. The atmosphere was excellent.