Many people are excited about the recent news regarding obstacle course racing. In a poll recently performed in the OCR Buddy Community Group on Facebook, 85% of those who responded indicated that no final decision regarding the obstacle discipline in the Modern Pentathlon had been made, but many are hopeful.
I went through the internet “rabbit hole” and found a bunch of articles from different countries around the world with different points of view. Below, you will see the Publication Name, and you can click their name for the full link. These are excerpts from each article, and as you can see, there are various reactions to the news from the UIPM World Pentathlon (first link).
As you will read:
- Obstacle Discipline will not be an individual sport in the Olympics, but the 5th discipline of Modern Pentathlon
- Obstacle Discipline was chosen partly because of the American influence and its ability to be seen on television
- 77% of existing Pentathlon athletes indicated they would most likely not remain in the sport
- 45-minute format
UIPM World Pentathlon – OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION
New 5th Discipline update: Obstacle Discipline selected for testing
Two variations of Obstacle Discipline have been selected for testing after leading over 60 proposals in the race to replace the Riding discipline in Modern Pentathlon.
As times have changed, the Olympic programme has evolved over the years to attract greater audiences around the world. The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) is undertaking an unprecedented review of every aspect of the sport. One of the outcomes of this effort is that the Riding portion of the event has proven no longer viable.
In reaching its decision, the New 5th Discipline Working Group rigorously followed the 13 established criteria. The selection considered athletes’ views, medical aspects (including workload, injuries and anti-doping), TV, media and marketing opportunities.
Taking into account the IOC requirements for the programme of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the Obstacle Discipline was selected for the following reasons including:
- compatible with the DNA of Modern Pentathlon, which examines the complete athlete as created by Pierre de Coubertin
- reduction in cost and complexity
- universal participation with great accessibility around the world
- popularity among all age groups, especially youth
- dynamic and attractive to global audiences
- simple and safe infrastructure for training and sustainable for organisers worldwide
“The guidance provided by the IOC around the selection of an alternative discipline for Modern Pentathlon has been closely followed, with athletes playing a central role in this process.
“While we still have specifics to finalize, we have a new and exceptional opportunity to grow and give visibility to our sport for the benefit of many generations to come, and that’s very exciting.”
The introduction of the new discipline to Modern Pentathlon after Paris 2024, along with the complete reassessment of the sport, is designed to ensure the future of a sport that has been a core part of the Olympic Games for over 100 years.
CBC – CANADA
Obstacle racing to be tested for possible replacing of equestrian in modern pentathlon
Modern pentathlon’s governing body (UIPM) said it has selected two variations of obstacle racing for testing from more than 60 options as it looks to replace the equestrian element in the sport from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Testing will begin immediately after the 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Final in Ankara in late June. Following comprehensive testing, the final decision will be taken by the UIPM Congress.”
Disciplines include ninja competitions, obstacle course racing and adventure racing with multiple event formats and distances ranging from 50 metres to hundreds of kilometres.
The sport’s governing body World Obstacle says Ninja TV Show competitions have around one billion viewers worldwide.
Adventure racing has been televised globally since 1989 and it is estimated that more than 300 million people have watched the Eco-Challenge expedition race since 1995.
Pentathlon United has opposed the move to remove equestrianism, and its representatives wrote to International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach on Sunday asking him to intervene, saying the UIPM’s consultation process had been “illusory at best.”
Modern pentathlon says TV-friendly obstacle racing can build sport’s future
Modern pentathlon’s governing body said making TV-friendly obstacle racing the sport’s fifth discipline would help build its future amid fierce opposition to its move to drop the equestrian element from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Starting in late June, the UIPM will test two variations of obstacle racing — which consists of disciplines where athletes run and/or overcome obstacles in timed competitions — after selecting the sport from more than 60 options
Pentathlon United, a group formed to block the removal of equestrianism, wrote to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) seeking intervention, saying the UIPM’s consultation process was “illusory at best”.
The group added that an April survey of 310 athletes — 168 of whom are active — showed 77% of them said it is unlikely they would stay in the sport if equestrianism is removed.
“We understand that some are unhappy. But we have far more people who want to embrace the change,” UIPM vice-president Joel Bouzou told The Guardian.
Modern pentathlon’s governing body said making TV-friendly obstacle racing the sport’s fifth discipline would help build its future amid fierce opposition to its move to drop the equestrian element from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Starting in late June, the UIPM will test two variations of obstacle racing — which consists of disciplines where athletes run and/or overcome obstacles in timed competitions — after selecting the sport from more than 60 options.
Pentathlon United, a group formed to block the removal of equestrianism, wrote to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) seeking intervention, saying the UIPM’s consultation process was “illusory at best”.
The group added that an April survey of 310 athletes — 168 of whom are active — showed 77% of them said it is unlikely they would stay in the sport if equestrianism is removed.
“We understand that some are unhappy. But we have far more people who want to embrace the change,” UIPM vice-president Joel Bouzou told The Guardian.
“What we’re doing is building the future of our sport.
Former IOC director of marketing Michael Payne, a part of the UIPM fifth discipline working group as an external expert, said the global body had compiled data on TV audience, social following, global footprint, spectators and cost of sports.
“Modern pentathlon performs right at the bottom,” Payne said. “Unless you transform it, it’s no longer contributing to the success, development and strength of the Olympics.”
The Guardian – US Edition
Modern pentathlon to trial ‘James Bond meets Krypton Factor’ 45-minute race
Modern pentathlon is to trial a radical new 45-minute format which will be “like James Bond meets the Krypton Factor” as part of plans to transform the event after discarding show jumping in favour of obstacle racing, the Guardian can reveal.
The proposal, which would involve minimal breaks between a fencing element followed by swimming, obstacle racing and laser gun events, is designed to tap into the US market and give the sport a far bigger presence on the global stage.
Bouzou also defended the controversial decision to drop show jumping, following a poll by Pentathlon United which found 95% of athletes were unhappy with the way the UIPM had conducted the change, saying the sport had no other choice if it wanted to stay in the Olympics after Paris 2024.
Bouzou said bringing in obstacle racing was part of wider reforms designed to transform the sport – which moved from five days to one in 1996 – into a fast-moving event for TV.
“There are some things that are still to be tested,” he said.
“The advisers in the session were saying: ‘You don’t have to solve everything now,’” he said. “But the key thing is that you present a vision and picture that the IOC and LA 2028 thinks: ‘Hallelujah, they’ve come back with something that is bloody exciting and good.’ And they have.”
The Dong-a Ilbo – Korea
Modern pentathlon replaces horseback riding for an obstacle course
The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne has voted to remove horseback riding and introduce an obstacle course racing instead.
Obstacle discipline appears to be a new discipline of modern pentathlon from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Not every athlete is welcoming the change, though. Joseph Choong, who won a gold medal in the men’s event at Tokyo Olympics, wrote to IOC President Thomas Bach, urging him not to remove horseback riding from modern pentathlete
Horsetalk NZ – New Zealand
Horses traded for obstacle course: Riding phase cut from Olympic pentathlon
The horse riding phase of the sport of Modern Pentathlon will be replaced by an “obstacle discipline” for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) will test two variations of the new Obstacle Discipline, which headed off more than 60 proposals that were put forward as a replacement.
The group took into account IOC requirements for the Los Angeles 2028 programme, and selected the Obstacle Discipline for several reasons, including a reduction in cost and complexity, greater accessibility, its appeal to audiences, and simple and safe infrastructure for training that was sustainable for organisers worldwide.
“While we still have specifics to finalize, we have a new and exceptional opportunity to grow and give visibility to our sport for the benefit of many generations to come, and that’s very exciting.”
The Star – Malaysia
Olympics-Modern pentathlon says TV-friendly obstacle racing can build sport’s future.
Modern pentathlon’s governing body said making TV-friendly obstacle racing the sport’s fifth discipline would help build its future amid fierce opposition to its move to drop the equestrian element from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“With obstacle racing there are moments when you have to jump, hang, and have to choose options — which means you have to think and there’s a tactical element,” Bouzou said. “We want to integrate all of this and find the complete athlete.”
“Modern pentathlon performs right at the bottom,” Payne said. “Unless you transform it, it’s no longer contributing to the success, development and strength of the Olympics.”
Obstacle Course Racing Is Set to Replace Equestrian in the Olympics
Ever since 2007, when Spartan was first founded, Spartan founder and CEO Joe De Sena has been working towards making obstacle course racing an Olympic sport.
Now, at long last, that dream may finally be a reality.
According to the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), modern pentathlon’s international governing body, obstacle course racing is set to replace equestrian in the event, perhaps as soon as the 2028 Summer Olympics. It’s unclear exactly what OCR in the Olympics will look like, as the UIPM plans to test two different variations of the sport.
For De Sena, OCR in the Olympics is a natural fit.
“The ancient Spartans used obstacles to train their warriors,” De Sena wrote in an op-ed for Sports Business Journal. “Around the same time, the Greeks held the first Olympic Games. There was no high-tech gear 2,500 years ago. They didn’t have a clue about aerodynamics. Those early Olympics were stripped down. It was all about the athletes and their inherent drive to be better, faster, and stronger. OCR is a modern-day expression of Spartan training and the first Olympians’ competitive spirit.”
“After many months of detailed talks, we are on the brink of a landmark decision that would change the history of modern pentathlon, the sport we all love, forever,” Yasser Hefny, Chairman of the UIPM Athletes Committee, said in a statement. “…While we still have specifics to finalize, we have a new and exceptional opportunity to grow and give visibility to our sport for the benefit of many generations to come, and that’s very exciting.”
The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles.
New York Times – USA
Modern Pentathlon Trades Horses for an Obstacle Course
Months after claims of animal abuse led the sport’s governing body to announce it would change, the verdict is in, and the equestrian event is out.
Since its creation more than a century ago, modern pentathlon has always required its champions to be great at five things: running, swimming, shooting, fencing and horseback riding.
But now one of the points of the pentagon is changing: Horseback riding will be replaced by obstacle course racing, the sport’s international federation announced Monday. The decision was prompted in part because of animal welfare (and public relations) concerns, but not every athlete is enthusiastic about the change.
Obstacle racing will be a far cry from the stately sport of equestrian, in which neatly dressed athletes and their horses sail over barriers. Obstacle races include tasks like climbing ropes, swinging from rings and monkey bars, clambering over earthen mounds and carrying heavy sacks.
Federation officials said the change would modernize and “supercharge” the sport.
Though modern pentathlon’s place is usually in the background of the sports world, it has a long history, especially at the Olympic Games. Modern pentathlon joined the Olympic program in 1912, with the current disciplines chosen to represent the skills required of a military cavalry officer. Its history unexpectedly includes George S. Patton, who competed for the United States in 1912, finishing fifth. (He was let down by a 21st-place ranking in the shooting event.)
Early reports had suggested that cycling was a strong contender to replace horse jumping. But the federation worked to play down those suggestions immediately, wary of stepping on the turf of another federation — notably cycling or triathlon, the latter of which includes a cycling element. Instead, modern pentathlon chose a sport not currently affiliated with the Olympics at all.
The sport has been forced to change in the past. Competition at the Olympics, once a five-day affair, was reduced to a single day in 1996. Then running and shooting were combined into one event in 2012.
Now plans are underway to squeeze the whole event into an even shorter window in 2024 in Paris, perhaps as little as 90 minutes.
The sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics and beyond is not guaranteed. Its fans will be hoping a happy resolution of the dispute will also increase its popularity and keep it going for another century.
NBC Sports – USA
Modern pentathlon to try out obstacle discipline to replace horse riding
Modern pentathlon, an Olympic sport since 1912, will try out an unspecified obstacle event as one of its five disciplines to replace horse riding as it bids to remain in the Games.
The obstacle disciplines led over 60 proposals to replace horse riding, which UIPM said last year had to be removed to boost the chances of keeping modern pentathlon’s place in the Olympics.
Modern pentathlon will be held at the 2024 Paris Games but is not currently on the 2028 Los Angeles program. It could still be added for 2028.
The other modern pentathlon events are fencing, swimming and a combined running and shooting event. Modern pentathlon was created by the founder of the modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, and has roots in the duties required of a soldier from the late 19th century.
