Rob Stull is the seventh president of the International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM), beginning a four-year term that will culminate with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games in his home country. In an interview during the U-15 Tetrathlon World Championships in Guatemala, Stull shared his vision for the future of modern pentathlon, highlighting his passion for the sport and the changes he plans to implement.
“This position is the highlight of my career,” stated Stull, who began his career as a pentathlete 45 years ago. During his acceptance speech, he emphasized that he will work closely with the national federations and the UIPM team to elevate the sport: “My mission is to lead and support our federations and ensure we meet expectations in Los Angeles 2028.”
The new president highlighted the success of the Paris 2024 Games as a standard they must now match or exceed. “The French did a spectacular job when the world needed a successful Games. Now we have the opportunity to build on that success,” he said.
INNOVATION AND ADAPTABILITY AS PRIORITIES
Stull, a former Olympian in pentathlon and fencing, stressed the need to keep modern pentathlon relevant and accessible. One of the biggest recent changes has been the inclusion of steeplechase as a replacement for equestrian. “This discipline offers us a huge opportunity for growth. My priority is to ensure that all our national federations have access to this discipline during my term,” he explained.
In addition, the new president stressed the importance of developing a sustainable business model to fund the growth of the sport and support national federations. “We must be able to generate our own revenues, without relying solely on sports ministries,” he added.
THE CHALLENGE OF THE 2028 LOS ANGELES GAMES
With the Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, Stull sees a unique opportunity to highlight modern pentathlon in his country. However, he also recognizes the logistical challenges: “My biggest concern is not having enough seats in the stadium. Pentathlon has always been one of the best-selling sports because it offers five different disciplines in one event.”
The president also shared his desire for the 72 athletes who will compete in Los Angeles to have an unforgettable experience: “I want them to feel the thrill of walking into the Los Angeles Coliseum, just like we did in 1984. That power of sport is transformative.
A HISTORY OF DEDICATION TO THE SPORT
Stull recalled how he discovered pentathlon through a college classmate and how the sport changed his life. From his participation in the 1988 Olympics in two disciplines to his role as an announcer at UIPM events, he has dedicated his life to modern pentathlon. “I firmly believe that everyone is good at something; you just need to find it,” he commented.
With his leadership, Rob Stull hopes to not only strengthen modern pentathlon on the Olympic stage, but also ensure that the sport is accessible and relevant to the next generation of athletes. “The power of the Olympic Games and sport in general is something I want everyone involved in pentathlon to be able to experience.”
