The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) has declared a groundbreaking chapter for modern pentathlon as the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session sanctioned the inclusion of modern pentathlon in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Modern pentathlon’s enduring presence at the Summer Olympics continues, tracing its roots back to its introduction by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, at Stockholm in 1912. This historic vote ensures its continuous participation.
Notably, obstacle racing will replace horse riding at LA28, a strategic alteration that prevented the IOC Executive Board from considering the removal of modern pentathlon from the Olympic lineup.
This transformation signals a new era for modern pentathlon, with the potential to evolve into one of the most thrilling, accessible, and popular sports within the Olympic movement, according to a statement by UIPM.
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Klaus Schormann, President of UIPM, celebrated this pivotal moment, stating, “Today marks another significant milestone in the rich history of modern pentathlon, a sport crafted specifically for the Olympic Games by Baron Pierre de Coubertin. With the replacement of riding by an obstacle course, we can confidently say that Coubertin’s legacy remains intact.”
He continued, “Our collective effort to pave the way for a new future revitalizes our sport, making it more cost-effective and less complex for organizers, while increasing accessibility worldwide. This dynamic change promises to captivate spectators and fans.”
The process to replace riding in modern pentathlon began on November 4, 2021, with a formal integration of the obstacle course one year later, on November 12, 2022, receiving an overwhelming 83 percent approval during the 72nd UIPM Congress held in Monaco.
