Big Changes Coming to the Modern Pentathlon

Big changes are expected to be implemented to the modern pentathlon after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as horse riding is set to be dropped and replaced with cycling at the Los Angeles 2028 games. The change is set to occur as a result of the distressing scenes witnessed at the Tokyo 2020 games in which Germany’s modern pentathlon coach Kim Raisner punched a horse.

The modern pentathlon invented by Baron Pierre de Coubertin to identify the complete sportsman, has been a core Olympic event at every Olympics since 1912 in which athletes are tested in; fencing, swimming, show jumping, pistol shooting and cross-country running. Yet the modern pentathlon’s governing body and confirmed that horse riding with be removed from the sport after the Paris 2024 games. It is understood the modern pentathlon’s governing body has taken a vote to remove the riding element in which athletes are paired with an unfamiliar horse, as one of the five events in the sport, and replace it with cycling. The decision taken by the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne’s (UIPM) executive board comes as a result of the scenes that unfolded at the Tokyo games when German rider Annika Schleu’s horse Saint Boy, was punched in the face by the German coach Kim Raisner after the horse refused to jump a fence. The UIPM is understood to have taken this action in order to preserve the status of the sport at the Olympics after it came under heavy criticism following the events in Tokyo.

Speaking in an open letter addressed to athletes, the UIPM said,

“It is not very long since we made a commitment to review and protect the riding discipline in the wake of the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games” they continued by saying, “But life within the Olympic movement changes fast. While our sport is confirmed for Paris 2024 with our exciting new format in place (including riding), Los Angeles 2028 is a different matter and we must be flexible and embrace change once again” they finished by saying, “Our sport continues to lag behind in development and growth due to a number of circumstances – and one of them is, very importantly, the horses. We have to finally take a decision on that matter – it is necessary to save modern pentathlon in the future.”

Leading athletes in the sport have shared their views on the developments. Former British modern pentathlete Kate Allenby who won Bronze at the Sydney Games told them, “any move to replace riding would be a disaster” she added, “this needs talking about because it is not a modern pentathlon if it hasn’t got riding in it” she said.

The UIPM took disciplinary action against Kim Raisner following her actions at the games and said they would conduct a full review. During a statement given in August the UIPM said, “Horse welfare and athlete safety will be at the centre of this process” they added, “The UIPM 2021 congress in November will provide an opportunity for UIPM’s national member federations to participate in a collective effort to secure the future of riding in modern pentathlon”

Britain’s Team GB won both the men’s and women’s modern pentathlon event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games courtesy of Joe Choong and Kate French.