Modern pentathlon at a crossroads as tension remains high between UIPM and athletes

It appears the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) is set to name obstacle-course racing as the new fifth discipline, possibly as early as Monday, to replace show jumping, according to reports. However, this decision is not being embraced by everyone, most of all the athletes involved.

The group Pentathlon United which features Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Joe Choong, former Olympic bronze medalist Kate Allenby and many other current and former modern pentathletes, have sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) urging Thomas Bach to “conduct a comprehensive, independent investigation into the standards of governance and probity of the UIPM and the 5th Discipline consultation process.”

Although modern pentathlon has been a core Olympic sport since 1912, last year the UIPM confirmed equestrian would no longer be a part of modern pentathlon after the Paris 2024 Olympics. The IOC then dropped the sport from the LA28 program and said no version of the sport which includes horse riding would be considered for future Olympic Games.

The sport’s image suffered after German coach Kim Raisner punched a horse who refused to jump during the Tokyo 2020 Games. She was immediately disqualified and sent home.

Pentathlon United formed last year in protest to UIPM’s decision to remove horse riding and replace it with a then-unknown fifth discipline. Although the group remains adamant equestrian remain a part of modern pentathlon, they have accused the UIPM of failing to listen to the athletes over the direction of the sport, and have no confidence in UIPM’s decision making.

“It is clear the UIPM does not engage, represent or listen to its athletes, as so breaches the Olympic Charter, which recognizes the athletes as a ‘fundamental element of the Olympic Movement,’” states their letter to the IOC.

“This has led to a complete loss of faith in the UIPM’s leadership, among the athlete community. This needs urgent investigation.”

Pentathlon United further states a survey of 310 athletes conducted in April, found over 85 percent don’t believe the UIPM considers an athlete’s opinion in running the sport, over 95 percent are unhappy with the UIPM’s handling of the new fifth discipline, over 90 percent are unhappy with the direction of the sport and do not believe the UIPM is capable of building a strong future for the sport.

Perhaps most unsettling for the sport, over 77 percent of athletes surveyed say it’s unlikely they will stay in the sport if equestrian is dropped.

The IOC made it clear last year athletes must be consulted and play a central role in the creating of a new discipline, but Pentathlon United says that has not happened.

At the World Cup this past weekend in Budapest, Hungary, Japanese pentathlete Taishu Sato was given a yellow card for wearing a shirt which read, “Keep Riding & Change the Rules.”

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