Riding will be removed from the modern pentathlon program of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Sport’s Governance UIPM will be announced Thursday and the consultation process to find a suitable alternative will begin shortly.
The decision was made after German modern pentathlon coach Kim Raisner attacked Annika Schleu’s horse, St. Boy, and refused to jump the fence at this year’s Tokyo Olympics. The incident led to widespread criticism of sports.
“First of all, we know that this information will be amazing and shocking to you,” the Union Internationale de Pentagon (UIPM) said in a statement.
“It hasn’t been long since we promised to review and protect equestrian discipline in response to the change in the schedule of the Tokyo Olympics, but life in the Olympic movement will change rapidly.
“The decision to replace riding was made after the UIPM Board approved a set of recommendations made by the UIPM Innovation Commission after a two-day meeting in Monaco last week.”
Cathy Gillermo, senior vice president of animal advocacy group PETA, welcomed the decision but called for the change to be implemented at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“PETA is pleased that UIPM has heard the views of PETA and the general public and has chosen to make the five-way competition truly modern and humane,” PETA said in a statement to Reuters. I am.
“We urge the Board to make the change in 2024 instead of 2028. Whisked and spurred horses can suffer as much as seven in three years.
“Horse do not choose to compete and humans compete and should not be punished.”
Due to Raysner’s actions in Tokyo, UIPM disqualified her from the men’s event, and PETA called on the International Olympic Committee to exclude the equestrian event from the Olympics because of its cruelty in Tokyo.
The modern pentathlon has been an Olympic sport since 1912 and has five events: fencing, swimming, show jumping, pistol shooting and cross-country running.
UIPM Chairman Klaus Schollmann said it was time for the sports governing body to become “bold and ambitious” following strong recommendations from the Innovation Commission.
“On behalf of the UIPM Board, I urge the global community to embrace change and seize the significant opportunities in front of us,” Schormann said in another statement.
“The new field will give a new stimulus to our sport and strengthen the position of modern pentathlon in the Olympic movement.”
The UIPM will be informed in the coming weeks that the timeline for new sector selection should allow global access and be attractive and relevant, among other conditions, especially to global youth. Said.
By Manasi Pathak and Shrivathsa Sridhar
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