MPA supports UIPM decision to remove Riding discipline after Paris 2024

Modern Pentathlon Australia (MPA) acknowledges the decision by the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) to remove the Riding (show jumping) discipline from the sport after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

MPA supports the UIPM and understands this change is needed to ensure the sport remains in contention to be part of the Olympic programme for Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 2032, and beyond.

Our sport is built on tradition and Riding has been part of our sport at the

Olympics since 1912; however our sport has evolved considerably in recent years, and we will continue to support further evolution of Modern Pentathlon.

MPA is supportive of decisions that are designed to progress the sport into the future, ensure a fair and safe playing field for all participants and to ensure our sport attracts a larger and more diverse participant base and TV audience.

In Australia, and other regions around the world, the riding discipline can be a barrier to participation for new athletes considering starting our sport and it can also be challenging for event organisers to source the right number and quality of horses for competitions.

MPA looks forward to discussing this change, and the criteria the UIPM has set for a new fifth discipline, with our members at our 2021 National Championships at the AIS next month. We are of course especially keen to hear from our young stars who are aiming for Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.

We will ensure the views of our athletes and community are relayed to the UIPM and that MPA are involved in the process for determining a replacement discipline for Riding post Paris.

MPA understands this is a big change to the sport and will be a shock for some athletes. However it is also the next chapter of our sport’s evolution and presents an opportunity to increase participation in Australia and build towards Brisbane 2032.

MPA is confident the sport will continue to be the ultimate test to determine the most complete athlete at the Olympics, as designed by the founder of the Modern Olympic Games Baron de Coubertin.

Read the UIPM’s full statement here

Read the Open letter to pentathletes from the UIPM

Modern Pentathlon continues to evolve

MPA acknowledges the tremendous evolution of our sport in recent Games. From 1912 to 1980 our sport was for men only and contested over five days. By Atlanta 1996 the competition was held over one day and at Sydney 2000 women made their debut, with MPA President Kitty Chiller creating history for Australia.

At the London Games in 2012, the running and shooting disciplines were combined and laser pistols introduced. At Rio 2016 the Fencing Bonus Round was added and at Tokyo 2020 all disciplines were held in the one stadium for the first time. The Paris 2024 Games will already be the first Games to feature Modern Pentathlon’s new TV-friendly elimination format, which enables audiences to watch all five disciplines in 90 minutes within a Pentathlon Stadium.

 

Australia’s proud Olympic history

Modern Pentathlon at the Olympic Games made its debut at Stockholm 1912, and Australia’s first pentathlon Olympian was Forbes Carlisle at Helsinki 1952. Australia has been represented at every Games, and by 27 athletes since 1952. Peter Macken was fourth at Tokyo 1964 and competed at five Games. Kitty Chiller competed at the first Games for women at Sydney 2000 and of course Chloe Esposito won Olympic gold at Rio 2016 – our first medal in the sport. Ed Fernon at his second Games and Marina Carrier at her first, represented Australia with pride in all disciplines at Tokyo 2020.