Difficult to predict. Since the beginning of the month, the modern pentathlon has occupied the news of the international sports movement on an almost daily basis. Its leaders would have done without it, especially a few weeks before an elective congress. But the matter escapes them.
Monday, November 8, the International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) issued a new press release. One more. The Monaco-based body explains that it wants “ clarify » an increasingly confusing situation. The text returns to the information given by certain media, suggesting that the choice of the replacement discipline for equestrian, from the Los Angeles 2028 Games, would already be decided, if not known.
The media in question relied on an intervention by Klaus Schormann, the president of the UIPM, in a sports program in Germany, where he explained that show jumping would not be replaced by cycling but by another discipline. “ It won't be cycling. But I’m not going to reveal what it will be yet,” the German leader would have declared, quoted by the site sportschau.de.
« incorrect“, insists the UIPM today in its press release. “ The consultation process is open, and I would like to clarify that no decision regarding the fifth discipline has been taken, specifies Klaus Schormann in the document published by the body. We have received many great ideas and proposals from our community, demonstrating the opportunity we have to create a new era for our Olympic sport. All proposals will be evaluated by the consultation group, then by a dedicated working group"
The games would therefore not be played. Either. But discontent is growing, particularly among athletes. More than six hundred, current and past, including the Olympic champions at the Tokyo 2020 Games (the British Joseph Choong and Kate French), co-signed a letter of no confidence in the UIPM. They are demanding the departure of its president, Klaus Schormann, and the executive committee.
Faced with the revolt, the authority tries to play appeasement. In its latest press release, published Monday, November 8, it announced the organization of a vast video consultation, Friday, November 12, where athletes will have the opportunity to interact virtually with members of the executive committee. All competitors who participated in UIPM-branded events during the last Olympiad (2017-2021) are invited. The online meeting aims to open dialogue on the consultation process, in order to provide more information on the decision of the executive committee“, the press release specifies.
Enough to bring calm to the house? Not sure. Less than three weeks before the UIPM congress, scheduled for November 27 and 28, uncertainty is setting in regarding the future of the team in place. Klaus Schormann, president of the body for 28 years, was preparing for a quiet and suspense-free re-election. He is the only candidate for the supreme position. But the current climate could change the situation, weakening its position.
The main thing remains: the new face of modern pentathlon after the Paris 2024 Games. With cycling no longer being one of the options, the consultation opened by the UIPM will have to produce another substitute discipline. But the choice promises to be complex, the body having established numerous criteria that are difficult to reconcile.
Asked by France Info, Joël Bouzou, vice-president of the UIPM, gave some ideas. “ Why not something with obstacles, suggested the Frenchman, world champion in 1987. In any case, a discipline which will not only be physical and not too energetic. There is already running and swimming for that. »
Not too physical or very expensive. Accessible and spectacular. Transportable when traveling and compatible with the current competition format. Attractive for young people. Economical in materials and logistics... The UIPM will not only have to consult and appease its troops. He will also have to demonstrate genius.
