UIPM 2019 Biathle-Triathle National Tour: Young athletes aim high in Sevan (ARM)

The largest lake in the Caucasus was the ideal location for one of UIPM’s most exciting development competitions as Armenia hosted the second Biathle-Triathle National Tour (BTNT) of 2019.

More than 100 young athletes got a taste for UIPM Sports at Lake Sevan, a freshwater lake which sits at an altitude of about 1900 metres, on July 21.

The BTNT, which gives people from new communities the chance to try two UIPM development sports in one day, had been kickstarted again in Tbilisi (GEO) earlier in the summer following the huge success of the Global Laser Run City Tour.

The Modern Pentathlon Federation of Armenia has a clear development focus built on growing the number of children and adolescents who want to become pentathletes.

The participants came from various clubs in the capital, Yerevan, and the regions of Gumri and Vandzor to take part in numerous age groups.

Artak Nikoghosyan, President of the Armenian Federation of Modern Pentathlon, said: "Modern Pentathlon has always been one of the favourite sports in Armenia.

“After many years of inactivity, in the past two years, thanks to the efforts of the UIPM, the National Federation and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, many people have become familiar with the sub-sports of Modern Pentathlon. Biathle and Triathle are no exception.

“For us, it was a pleasant surprise to have such a good response from those who participated in the UIPM 2019 Biathle-Triathle National Tour. The coaches and referees were mostly former athletes of Igor Novikov Training School for Young Pentathletes. There were also many spectators and fans.

“I want to note that the distance for inexperienced participants was very acceptable. What is most important is that this was a very successful celebration of sport and Modern Pentathlon."

Viacheslav Malishev, UIPM Executive Board Member for Development, said: “Biathle and Triathle are two of the pillars of UIPM’s global development programme, enabling athletes to transition between running, swimming and, in the case of Triathle, laser shooting and enhance their chance of becoming pentathletes.

“I am delighted that the UIPM Biathle-Triathle National Tour is up and running again and I congratulate everybody involved in this year’s second instalment in Sevan on an excellent competition that was clearly enjoyed by many people.”

About 100 cities have been selected in 2019 as hosts of the BTNT or GLRCT, with the BTNT venues including Sevan (ARM), Abidjan (CIV), Bamako (MAL), Colombo (SRL) and Hurghada (EGY).

The full calendar can be viewed at the UIPM website, where you can also find more information on UIPM’s various multi-discipline sports.

The UIPM 2019 Biathle-Triathle World Championships will be held in Saint Petersburg, Florida (USA) from October 23-27.

In December, Laser Run and Triathle will both feature for the first time in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines.