The Executive Board of the International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) met virtually on Thursday to make a series of important decisions related to the future of this sport discipline. During the meeting, key issues such as the integration of new disciplines, the organization of competitions and the planning of the next Olympic cycles were addressed.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the unanimous vote for the immediate creation of an Obstacles Working Group. This team will focus on integrating the steeplechase community within the IUFM sports movement. This decision follows the vote of the UIPM 2024 Congress in favor of the creation of an Obstacles Commission, which will aim to explore the commercial possibilities of this integration.
New venues for international competitions
The Executive Board also assigned venues for several major competitions. Among them are:
- Pentathlon World Cup 2026: Catania, Italy.
- Pentathlon World Cup Final 2026: Budapest, Hungary.
- 2025-2028 World Obstacle Championships (OCR): Beijing, China.
These decisions reflect UIPM’s commitment to the expansion and development of its disciplines in different regions of the world.
Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games
Much of the meeting focused on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle. During the session, UIPM Vice President Kitty Chiller OLY of Australia was appointed to lead communication with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games Organizing Committee. This move underlines the importance of long-term planning to ensure the success of modern pentathlon at future Olympic events.
UIPM President Rob Stull OLY highlighted the importance of the meeting, calling it a constructive space to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the organization. In his words, the Executive Board is committed to making decisions that benefit the sports community.
Participation of the International Olympic Committee
The meeting was attended by Kit McConnell, sports director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who gave a detailed explanation of the IOC’s decisions regarding athlete quotas for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. UIPM’s reaction to this announcement can be found on its official website.
In addition, it was reported that the UIPM Athletes’ Committee has been invited to hold discussions with the IOC Sports Department and the IOC Athletes’ Commission. These meetings will be organized in the near future, reinforcing the dialogue between stakeholders in the development of modern pentathlon.
