« Our future looks bright! Rob Stull is always enthusiastic when it comes to talking about modern pentathlon. Last Thursday, the UIPM president spoke with the press for nearly 45 minutes during a briefing, alongside the IF Secretary General, Shiny Fang. The timing is significant, as the UIPM has just signed a partnership with TBS and the Olympic program is at the heart of discussions within the IOC's Fit for the Future process.
Unprecedented business opportunities
On Tuesday, the UIPM announced an agreement with TBS, the company that created the Ninja Warrior television concept, to use obstacles for which it holds intellectual property rights in its own competitions. This is a way for them to get closer to what makes the show so successful worldwide: it has been adapted in more than 25 countries and has already run for 17 seasons in the United States.
« Sport is part of the entertainment world, and Ninja Warrior incorporates many sporting elements, so we found common ground to collaborate and expand our scope together.Rob Stull points out. This is an integral part of several commercial agreements that are either being negotiated, already signed, or about to be signed. These are all strategic partnerships designed to increase our media coverage and add value to modern pentathlon. "The president proudly says:" Our new product, our redesigned pentathlon, has opened up business opportunities far beyond anything that existed before. »
In addition to replacing the equestrian event with show jumping, the UIPM decided to reduce the swimming distance from 200 to 100 meters to offer an even more dynamic format. The FI boasts a 71% increase in its social media community since 2025. We have never been stronger, in many respects. “,” Rob Stull rejoices. Our first World Cup of the season broke all records in terms of athlete participation and the number of nations represented. These records were broken again at our second World Cup of the season, and entries for the third round surpassed those of the previous two. " he illustrates. Youth participation has exploded (+127% since 2023) and at the elite level, the average age of athletes has dropped from 26 in 2024 to 22 today. Key indicators for the future."
The Olympic events on a beach in 2032?
The Fit for the Future process is in full swing, and many International Federations (IFs) are waiting to find out what lies ahead: Kirsty Coventry has announced that tough decisions will have to be made, including reducing the number of sports included starting with Brisbane 2032, and that there will be some discontent. The International Union of Paralympic Games (UIPM) spoke directly with the IOC President on Wednesday. "A short meeting, but nonetheless very fruitful," says Rob Stull, who emphasizes the importance of "ensuring that the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Games remain truly relevant for future generations."
« Now we know exactly what the IOC is looking for. We see much more clearly how and where we need to do more., Shiny Fang agrees. We are confident and we believe there is a future for us too. Coventry stressed the need to reduce the complexity of the Games, particularly in terms of competition venues. This theoretically exposes disciplines that require their own dedicated venues.
No problem, replies the UIPM, which already organizes competitions in different configurations, in an open-air stadium or indoors, such as the 2025 World Championships in Kaunas. We have 25-meter pools, 50-meter pools, but we also have open water events. It depends on the organizer.explains Rob Stull. This allows us to organize our event anywhere, if necessary on a beach. "That was the case in Cuba in May 2025, during the Pan American Championships. The UIPM is already envisioning its events taking place on a beach on the Gold Coast." I told Kit (McConnell, Brisbane 2032 sports director): we want to be your solution, not your problem, when it comes to venues. Does modern pentathlon present a complexity in this regard? Not anymore. »
