The Olympic Games in Paris are approaching rapidly, and a major change is already underway in the sport of modern pentathlon. Following the Games in Paris, the sport will eliminate the equestrian events and instead introduce obstacle courses inspired by the popular television show “American Ninja Warrior” for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. This decision is the result of a lengthy debate among athletes and officials in the sport, which has been characterized by conflicts leading up to the upcoming championship, set to begin this Thursday.
The arguments for the change range from excitement over a necessary modernization that could save the sport to concerns that these changes will drive away top athletes from an already small competitive pool. Joe Choong, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has openly expressed his opposition to the changes and indicated that he is likely to retire after the Games in Paris. “I need the motivation to do it. I can’t just do it for the sake of it,” he stated earlier this year.
Modern pentathlon was originally invented by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, in an attempt to discover the ultimate versatile athlete. The current competition format combines running, swimming, equestrianism, shooting, and fencing. However, with the inclusion of horses in the format, the sport faced multiple challenges. A controversial incident at the Tokyo Olympics, where a coach was filmed in an unfortunate situation with a horse, has accelerated the need for change.
As part of the new format, the competitions in Paris will take place at the grounds of Versailles, with events for both men and women scheduled to be held over approximately 90 minutes, including breaks. The International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) has high hopes for the new obstacle courses, believing they will make the sport more television-friendly and have the potential to attract a more diverse group of athletes.
While the new changes promise excitement for the future, there will be an emotional farewell to equestrian events. As expressed by Egyptian athlete Malak Ismail: “It is very sad to say goodbye to riding, but I am also really excited to try the obstacles.”
The changes in modern pentathlon illustrate how sports can evolve and adapt to the demands of the times, even if it means bittersweet endings to an era. The coming days in Paris will be crucial for the sport, both in terms of athletes’ performances and the future direction of modern pentathlon.