Fencing Bonus Round implemented in Modern Pentathlon

Modern Pentathlon continues to evolve with the establishment of a new and exciting Fencing format. The Fencing Bonus Round will be established in the 2015 season after winning the approval of a huge majority of delegates at the sport's 2014 Congress in Sofia, Bulgaria, from November 29-30.

"Again UIPM takes a important step forward for our sport and for the Olympic movement with the approval of this Fencing Bonus Round," stated Dr. Klaus Schormann, President of the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne, after the 2014 Congress.

The Bonus Round, which will take place at the end of the popular Round Robin stage, is the latest in a series of innovations by UIPM designed to enhance the spectacle of 21st-century Modern Pentathlon for broadcasters and spectators.

The revolutionary concept, which ensures that all competing pentathletes confront each other once more on the fencing piste after the traditional Round Robin, was vigorously tested this year at numerous events, including the prestigious World Cup Final in Sarasota, USA and the World Championships in Warsaw, Poland.

The format was extremely well received and offers all athletes the chance to win bonus points to top up their score, while focusing the action on a single piste, creating a more exciting experience for athletes, spectators and broadcasters.

The Bonus Round was tabled and gained support at the first-ever joint-meeting of UIPM's Technical Committee and Coaches Committee in Warsaw, Poland on September 8.

The two committees, after being briefed by UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann and Secretary General Shiny Fang, decided on the rules of the proposed new round to be approved by the Executive Board at its meeting in Sofia on November 26-27, and finally ratified by UIPM Congress.

That process was completed over the past two days, as delegates from around the world gathered in the Bulgarian capital to ratify this and other important resolutions.

Five new NFs welcomed into the UIPM family

Congress approved the nomination by the UIPM Executive Board of five new National Federations: Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana (Africa) and Pakistan, Thailand (Asia).

All five nations made clear progress in developing the sport this year under the watchful guidance of the African and Asian confederations respectively.

Medical and Doping rule changes

UIPM Medical and Doping Rules for 2015 (based on and complying with the World Anti-Doping Agency regulations) were approved.

NFs strengthened by eligibility rule change

An amendment to eligibility rules in accordance with updates to the International Olympic Committee Charter was approved. The change will strengthen the independence of Modern Pentathlon's National Federations.

2017 World Championships to be held in Cairo, Egypt

Full list of competition hosts appointed:

2015 Biathle/Triathle World Tour: Dubai, UAE (February); Cascina, Italy (June); Setubal, Portugal (July); Weymouth, Great Britain (September); Goa, India (October).

2017 Senior World Championships: Cairo, Egypt

2017 World Cup Final: Lithuania

2017 World Cup #1: USA

2017 World Cup #4: Kecskemét, Hungary

2017 Youth A World Championships: Prague, Czech Republic

UIPM Congress 2014 also involved the world governing body giving its audience a progress report and making presentations for events coming up in 2015. Delegates also heard an updated report from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Organising Committee.

UIPM partner CISM presented a development plan and outlined the organisation of the 2015 World Military Games, which will take place in Korea, and future annual World Championships in Poland, Germany and China.

The successful Congress took place two days after an equally constructive UIPM Executive Board Meeting in Sofia, which included a discussion about new development projects including possible new combinations of the formats that make up Modern Pentathlon and its non-Olympic sub-sports.

Finally the delegates received a progress report from Chinese Taipei that will organise the next UIPM Congress from November 13-15, 2015.

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