2 weeks ago
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Fans have been promised a 'bolder, faster and more spectacular' event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics after one of the oldest sports has undergone a radical change.
Modern Pentathlon - which was founded by the modern Olympics founder Pierre de Coubertin - has been part of the Games since 1912.
The format originally featured fencing, swimming, riding, shooting and running, with the latter two later combined to become a laser run.
The events were considered a modern revamp of the ancient pentathlon, with the version aimed at replicating the experience of a 19th-century cavalry soldier behind enemy lines.
Modern Pentathlon faced the threat of being axed from the Olympics following a controversy at Tokyo 2020, when a German coach Kim Raisner punched a horse named Saint Boy after it refused to jump a fence during the equestrian part of the event.
The sport’s governing body – the International Modern Pentathlon Union – faced outcry from athletes when it opted to axe the equestrian discipline.
Modern Pentathlon has undergone a major change ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
Equestrian competition has been axed following a controversy at the Tokyo Olympics, whihc saw a horse punched by a coach after it refused to clear a jump
Modern Penthatlon voted to replace equestrian with obstacle racing in 2022, after tests
The UIPM since voted in favour of introducing obstacle racing as the fifth discipline, leading to Paris 2024 being the final Olympics to feature equestrian.
While the new format has been introduced at age group level, obstacle racing has been rolled out at senior events this season and will be part of the World Championship format for the first time this week in Kaunas, Lithuania.
'Taking its place alongside a new and more dynamic fencing format, swimming and the exciting finale of laser run, obstacle has opened up our sport to a whole new world of participants and audiences,' said Rob Stull, UIPM president.
'I can't wait for everyone to see how the new-look pentathlon is presented here in Kaunas.
'You will see how our pentathletes – long since established as the most versatile athletes in the world – have adapted to the challenge of a fundamental change in the sport they love.
'From the athletes' walk-on to the final laser run, you'll see Modern Pentathlon as you've never seen it before — bolder, faster and more spectacular.'
The governing body has looked to Ninja Warrior - the television series - as inspiration with one of the shows old production sets having been used when the sport debuted.
The new discipline features a 70 metres course, which comprises of eight obstacles, which athletes will have to tackle.
Ninja Warrior has been used as inspiration by the sport's governing body for the courses
A previous Ninja Warrior course had been used during one of the initial tests for the discipline
Athletes will have to tackle eight different obstacles during a 70 metres long course
A finishing wall must be completed by athletes, who will press a buzzer to complete their run
Eight obstacles are featured on the course, with six fixed and two determined before qualification and the semi-finals.
Obstacles can include balance beams, tilting ladders, wheels and hoops, as well as ascension bars and swinging globes.
Athletes must tackle a finishing wall and press a buzzer to officially completed the course.
They face warnings for failing a obstacle on the first go or touching the crash mattress, which can lead to elimination should they do so again.
Obstacle racing will be the second discipline contested in the new-look sport, after fencing, with swimming and laser-run completing the event.
