Modern Pentathlon Format To Change
The format of the modern pentathlon is to change after the its governing body voted to combine the disciplines of shooting and running into one event.
Traditionally, the modern pentathlon has involved five events – fencing, shooting, swimming, show jumping, running – however, starting in January 2009, the races will end with a biathlon-like discipline of shooting and running.
The change was approved by the International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) during its congress in Guatemala, and is expected to evoke a controversy within the sport.
London in 2012 will be the first Games to host the changed sport, whose five-event structure has remained the same since its inception a century ago, until now.
Britain will also be the venue for the first world championships to showcase the new format, at Crystal Palace in August next year.
