UIPM President Dr. Schormann participated in the #WhiteCard campaign

MONACO, 6 APRIL 2015 – On the second annual International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the UIPM took efforts to promote the #WhiteCard campaign and the values of sport as a tool for peace-building and human development.

Pentathletes in preparation for third leg of the World Cup series in Rome and elsewhere in the world took a break from training to show their support by sending pictures of themselves holding up white cards (see the picture gallery at www.facebook.com/modpen)

The #WhiteCard campaign was masterminded by Peace & Sport, a Monaco-based organisation created in 2007 by former Modern Pentathlete Joel Bouzou.

The use of sport to promote development and peace has been at the core of the IOC’s mission since its creation in 1894. Pierre de Coubertin, the IOC’s founder and creator of Modern Pentathlon, was explicit in his desire to use Olympism as a means to promote harmony among individuals and nations.

Dr Klaus Schormann, President of UIPM, welcomed the initiative wholeheartedly. He said: “Sport is a powerful device and can be an important factor in creating a much more peaceful world. Modern Pentathlon, through the legacy of Pierre de Coubertin, the Founder of the Modern Olympic Games and Modern Pentathlon, stands for integration and against discrimination.”

“The skills required for the five different disciplines lead to harmony in body and mind, which is why Modern Pentathlon provides people with excellent possibilities for education. It is a focal point for peace and harmony all over the world in all religions and cultures.”

The Modern Pentathlon world now turns the attention to World Cup #3 starting in two days in Rome. With the challenge of getting qualification to Rio 2016, pentathletes are expected to show a sharp performance both physically and mentally.