Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne facts for kids

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Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne
Official website

Sport	Modern pentathlon
Jurisdiction	International
Abbreviation	UIPM
Founded	13 August 1948 (London)
Headquarters	Monte-Carlo
Location	Monaco
President	Klaus Schormann

The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (which means International Modern Pentathlon Union in English), often called UIPM, is the main group that runs the sport of modern pentathlon around the world. It was started in London in 1948. Its main office is in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. The UIPM works with 115 national sports groups.

Modern pentathlon became an Olympic sport in 1912 in Stockholm, Sweden. It combines five different sports: pistol shooting, fencing, swimming, horse riding, and running. These sports were chosen to match the spirit of the ancient Greek pentathlon.

The UIPM also looks after other sports like Laser Run, Tetrathlon, Biathle, Triathle, and World Schools Biathlon. These sports were created to help more people get into modern pentathlon. The UIPM is part of big sports groups like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee.

History of Pentathlon

The Ancient Greek Pentathlon

The original Pentathlon was first part of the Olympic Games in 708 BC. It was a very important event. The winner was called "Victor Ludorum," meaning "winner of the games." This ancient event included running, jumping, spear throwing, discus throwing, and wrestling.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who started the modern Olympic Games, really admired the Ancient Pentathlon. From 1909, he tried to bring a similar event back. In 1911, his idea was accepted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Budapest.

What is Modern Pentathlon?

Modern Pentathlon was added to the Olympic Games in Stockholm in 1912. It has five parts: pistol shooting, fencing, swimming, horse riding, and running. Baron de Coubertin believed this event would test a person's character and physical skills. He thought it would create the "ideal, complete athlete."

This new sport quickly became popular. It needed courage, good coordination, physical fitness, self-control, and the ability to adapt. A young American soldier, George S. Patton, who later became a famous World War II General, finished fifth in the first Olympic Modern Pentathlon. Athletes can often compete in many Olympic Games because experience in technical sports can make up for slower running or swimming times as they get older.

How Modern Pentathlon is Managed

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) managed Modern Pentathlon until 1948. Then, the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) was formed. Tor Wibom was chosen as the first president. Later, Gustaf Dyrssen, an Olympic champion, took over in 1949. Sven Thofelt became president in 1960 and served for 28 years.

In 1953, Biathlon (cross-country skiing and rifle shooting) joined the Union. The group then became the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne et Biathlon (UIPMB). In 1993, the UIPMB became a larger group that included both the UIPM and the International Biathlon Union (IBU).

In 1998, the IBU decided to become its own separate group. So, on August 20, 1998, the UIPM and IBU became two different international sports groups. Both are now recognized by the IOC.

Developing New Sports

Biathle: Run and Swim

Biathle has been around for over 50 years and is designed for "Sport for All." It combines two basic parts of Modern Pentathlon: running and swimming.

Biathle is easy to set up and understand. It doesn't cost much to organize and can be held almost anywhere. The race starts with runners, who complete half of the running distance. Then, they go into a special area and jump into the water to swim. After swimming, they get out, put on their shoes, and finish the second part of the run. The first person to cross the finish line wins. The distances change depending on the age group. The first Biathle World Championships were in Monaco in 1999.

World Schools Biathlon

In 2005, the UIPM started the World Schools Biathlon. This event also has swimming and running. The swimming is in a 25m or 50m pool, and the running is usually on a track. The swimming happens first, then everyone starts running at the same time. The final score is based on points from both swimming and running.

What's special about World Schools Biathlon is that schools can take part from their own location. They enter their students' results into a global database on the UIPM website. This means schools don't need money for travel or hotels. Teachers or coaches can organize it "at home."

Triathle: Adding Laser Shooting

Triathle was officially approved by the UIPM in 2012. It's an important part of growing modern pentathlon. Triathle helps new athletes get started by combining running, swimming, and laser shooting.

Triathle is also very simple to organize. The first World Triathle Championships in Cyprus in 2013 showed how athletes of all ages can compete with simple equipment.

A Triathle race usually starts with a short run, then athletes shoot five targets with a laser pistol. After another run, they swim, and then finish with a final run. The first person to cross the finish line wins. Distances vary by age group. Triathle has been featured in the Modern Triathle World Tour and other international games.

The Five Events of Modern Pentathlon

Fencing: Sword Fighting

Fencing in modern pentathlon uses an épée sword. Each match is decided by the first person to score a hit. The fencing event is a round-robin tournament, meaning every competitor fences against every other competitor.

Bouts last for one minute. If no one scores a hit, both fencers get a defeat. Hitting anything other than the opponent, stepping out of bounds, or dangerous play can lead to point penalties. Winning 70% of your bouts earns 1000 pentathlon points. Each win or loss changes your score from this base. For example, if there are 36 competitors, 25 wins would give you 1000 points.

Swimming: A Strong Start

Most pentathletes have a background in swimming. It's seen as a sport that's harder to learn at a high level when you're older. So, good swimming skills are very important for Modern Pentathlon.

The swimming event is a 200-meter freestyle race for both men and women. Athletes are grouped into heats based on their fastest times. A time of 2 minutes and 30 seconds earns 1000 pentathlon points. Every 0.33 seconds faster or slower changes your score by 4 points. Mistakes like a false start or not touching the wall correctly can result in penalties.

Riding: Horse Jumping

The riding event is equestrian show jumping. Athletes jump over obstacles up to 120 centimeters (about 4 feet) high. The course is between 350 and 450 meters long and has 12 obstacles, including one double and one triple jump, making 15 jumps in total.

Athletes ride horses provided by the organizers, chosen by a random draw. They get 20 minutes to warm up with their horse and can have up to five practice jumps. Pentathletes also get 20 minutes to walk and inspect the course before their turn.

Riders must complete the course within a set time limit. A perfect round within the time limit earns 1200 pentathlon points. Mistakes like knocking down an obstacle (20 points off) or a horse refusing to jump (40 points off) lead to penalties. If a rider falls, it's a 60-point penalty. Riders must wear protective headgear and a riding jacket.

Laser Run: Shoot and Run Combined

In 2008, the UIPM decided to combine the shooting and running events into one, called "Laser Run." This is the final event of the competition.

In individual races, athletes start with a handicap (meaning the person with the most points from earlier events starts first). They run about 25 meters to a shooting range. There, they must hit five targets with a laser pistol within 50 seconds. After hitting the targets, they run 800 meters. This is repeated three more times, for a total of 20 targets and 3200 meters of running. Finishing in 12 minutes and 30 seconds earns 2000 pentathlon points. Faster or slower times change the score.

Laser Run also happens in relay races with teams of two or three athletes. The shooting uses a safe, eco-friendly laser pistol. Athletes shoot at a target from 10 meters away. They must hit five targets in 50 seconds before they can start running. If they don't hit all five targets in time, they can still start running, but they won't get points for those missed targets.

Leaders of UIPM

Gustaf Dyrssen (1948–1960)
Sven Thofelt (1960–1988)
Igor Novikov (1988–1992)
Klaus Schormann (1992–present)

Modern Pentathlon Competitions

Olympic Games

From 1912 to 1980, the Olympic Modern Pentathlon competition took five days, with one event each day. From 1984 to 1992, it was held over four days. For the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, it became a one-day event.

In 1998, the UIPM got approval for women to compete in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. For the first time, both men and women competed. The events were very popular, with tickets almost completely sold out. The number of athletes allowed in the Olympics has increased over time. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, there was some discussion when several horses did not cooperate during the horse jumping part of the event.

World Championships

World Championships are held every year for Senior, Junior (23 and under), and Under 19 age groups. Athletes compete as individuals, in teams, and in relays. From 2018, the Senior World Championships are called the UIPM Pentathlon World Championships.

The Under 19 World Championships use a "Tetrathlon" format, which means the riding event is not included. Athletes compete in qualifying rounds to reach the final, which can have up to 36 athletes. Medals and prize money are given for individual winners. Team medals are decided by adding the scores of the top three team members. Relay events have two athletes who take turns in the different sports. Since 2009, a mixed relay (teams of one man and one woman) has been included.

World Modern Pentathlon Championships
World Junior Modern Pentathlon Championships
World Youth Modern Pentathlon Championships
World U24 Modern Pentathlon Championships
World Masters Modern Pentathlon Championships
World Para Modern Pentathlon Championships
Biathle and Triathle World Championships
Biathle and Triathle World Tours
World Laser Run Championships

Pentathlon World Cup

A World Cup series for men and women has been organized since 1990. Each year, there are 4 to 6 World Cup competitions and a World Cup Final. The whole series is called the UIPM Pentathlon World Cup since 2018. The best 36 athletes qualify for the World Cup Final based on their scores from the regular World Cup events. Prize money is also awarded.

Continental Championships

Different groups of the UIPM organize championships for their continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, South America, and NORCECA (North America, Central America, and Caribbean).

European Modern Pentathlon Championships (since 1987)
African Modern Pentathlon Championships (since 2001)
Asian & Oceanian Modern Pentathlon Championships (since 1986)
Pan American Modern Pentathlon Championships (since 1951)

Athletes

See Category:Modern pentathletes by nationality

Olympic Pentathletes

See Category:Olympic modern pentathletes