The capital of China will host the new Obstacle World Championships (OCR) organized by the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), with the first edition set for October 2025. The agreement guarantees the event will take place in Beijing for four consecutive years, through 2028, marking a new chapter in the expansion of modern pentathlon into urban disciplines.

The competition will bring together OCR specialists and elite pentathletes, who will face off on courses of 100 meters, 400 meters, and 3 kilometers. The events will take place at the renovated sports complex that hosted the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, aiming to solidify this emerging discipline within the Olympic ecosystem.

A strategic step

The UIPM sees this initiative as a key step in its modernization process and outreach to new audiences. After officially adding obstacles to modern pentathlon, the governing body created a commission and working group focused on developing OCR, with the backing of the Congress held in November 2024. This shift also positions UIPM as the only Olympic federation recognized by the IOC to regulate obstacle sports worldwide.

From China, excitement is palpable. Bin Zhang, president of the Chinese Modern Pentathlon Association, highlighted the impact the event will have on promoting the sport among younger generations. In addition to offering attractive prizes and a high-level competitive environment, Beijing is presented as an ideal setting thanks to its urban scale and organizational expertise. “We are honored to begin this four-year journey,” said Zhang.