UIPM donates Coubertin bust to Rio 2016 Olympic Village

Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the Modern Olympic Games and the core Olympic sport of Modern Pentathlon, settled into a new home in the Olympic Village today.

A 30kg iron bust of Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937) has been donated to the Rio 2016 Organising Committee by the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne, and it is now on display for athletes to see with the Modern Pentathlon competition just over a week away.

The bust, which will be permanently on display at the Olympic Museum in Rio de Janeiro after the Games, was created by the German artist Karlheinz Oswald. The idea was conceived by the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee through its President Prof Norbert Müller and UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann.

It was presented to Rio 2016 by Dr Schormann, who was joined at the ceremony by Jacques de Navacelle de Coubertin, UIPM Secretary General Shiny Fang, Mayor of the Olympic Village Mrs Janeth Arcain and the Vice President of Brazilian Olympic Committee, General Augusto Heleno. Also presented in the ceremony was Francis Gabet, Director of IOC Museum in Lausanne and Robert Stull, Chief Executive Officer of US Modern Pentathlon.

Dr Schormann said: "The purpose of this donation is to remember and emphasize the importance of the founder of the Modern Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin.

"Modern Pentathlon is a special sport and the ancient pentathlon was the only sport created for the Olympic Movement. Modern Pentathlon is a living legacy in the Olympic Movement.”

From August 18-20, 72 modern pentathletes will compete for medals at the XXX Olympic Games at Deodoro Park.