Modern Pentathlon 2024 Discussion Thread

[Totallympics 78]

[phelps 8,302]

UIPM JOINT COMMITTEES PROPOSE THREE LA28 FENCING PROPOSALS FOR TESTING

 

 

• Single-elimination format set to make Olympic debut in 2028
• Volunteering National Federations will test formats from March-May
• President Schormann salutes ‘innovation and creativity’ of UIPM community

 

The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) has moved a step closer to finalising the Modern Pentathlon format for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

 

At the end of their annual joint meeting (February 16-18), UIPM’s Athletes Committee, Coaches Committee and Technical Committee decided to propose three options for the Fencing discipline to the UIPM Executive Board (EB).

 

The Committees based their proposals on the recommendations of the Fencing Working Group appointed in November 2023.

 

All three proposals contain a single-elimination format, meaning pentathletes will compete for the first time in the knockout structure used in many other Olympic sports – preliminary rounds, quarter-finals and semi-finals culminating in a final bout between the last two surviving fencers.

 

The various formats will be tested by several volunteering National Federations in March, April and May.

 

Testing results will be analysed by the EB with a view to presenting any relevant motions to UIPM 2024 Congress.

 

The Fencing format finally selected for LA28 – if approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) – will replace the current two-venue model of a full-scale Ranking Round followed by a Bonus Round with a ladder-style elimination format.

 

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “After three days of invigorating discussion I am pleased that our three main UIPM committees have come together to agree on an exciting proposal for Fencing at LA28, which we know will be a game-changer for Modern Pentathlon in the Olympic Games."

 

“Once again, we have been challenged to redefine our sport to make sure it remains a compelling part of the world’s greatest sporting event.

And our community has responded with innovation and creativity, always keeping in mind the need to adjust to the needs of the IOC and the host city, in this case Los Angeles."

 

“A single-elimination format in Fencing will be another important landmark in the evolution of Modern Pentathlon.

UIPM was asked by the IOC President, Dr Thomas Bach, to reduce the cost and complexity of our sport while making it more accessible and more appealing, and this goes beyond the introduction of Obstacle as a new discipline – it applies to the overall competition format.

I now look forward to our discussions within the UIPM Executive Board.”

[Grassmarket 4,062]

Don’t like the other changes, but frankly this is overdue.

[JoshMartini007 2,768]

I wouldn't mind a double elimination tournament just so we don't risk people getting eliminated too early.

[thepharoah 2,413]

Can they just let the sport in its terms or delete it from Olympic Program , if it's the main problem why youth don't watch sport or Olympics , so Paris 24 will be the last normal MP Competition we follow 

[phelps 8,302]

38 minutes ago, thepharoah said:

Can they just let the sport in its terms or delete it from Olympic Program , if it's the main problem why youth don't watch sport or Olympics , so Paris 24 will be the last normal MP Competition we follow 

Paris 2024 is actually the last competition ever in Modern Pentathlon   

 

what comes next is just another sport (? ), they should call it Multiverse Pentathlon 

[JoshMartini007 2,768]

1 hour ago, phelps said:

what comes next is just another sport (? ), they should call it Multiverse Pentathlon 

No, it'll be called "Pentathlon Xtreme" and any time the commentator says the name, they have to yell it and a loud electric guitar riff is played.

[Grassmarket 4,062]

3 hours ago, thepharoah said:

Can they just let the sport in its terms or delete it from Olympic Program , if it's the main problem why youth don't watch sport or Olympics , so Paris 24 will be the last normal MP Competition we follow 

Well, you can go back to having a five-day comp as it was in 1976 when Thomas Bach became Olympic Champion in Fencing.  For those who find Test Cricket just a bit too rushed.

 

 

[mpjmcevoy 375]

15 hours ago, JoshMartini007 said:

I wouldn't mind a double elimination tournament just so we don't risk people getting eliminated too early.

What you want is Either -

 

a rugby sevens style 'shield, plate and bowl' competition which will give everyone broadly equal matches, and a detailed ranking OR

 

a 'tournament' with seeded groups of four, followed again by a 'shield, plate and bowl' style ranking competition (my preference, so first loss does not condemn you to 17th place at best)

 

For 32 competitors, that would work out at 4 matches each in scenario 1 or 6 matches each in scenario 2, but would still have a certain sporting authenticity to it, ad would increase the actual jeapordy of each match.

[mpjmcevoy 375]

5 hours ago, phelps said:

Paris 2024 is actually the last competition ever in Modern Pentathlon   

 

what comes next is just another sport (? ), they should call it Multiverse Pentathlon 

2024 MP bears little resemblance 1950's MP

It's an arbitrary sport in many ways, invented not evolved.

And most importantly, perhaps, without the Olympics it will die.

 

Best to accept the new format as the MP equivalent of rugby sevens -  a Games based 'taster' version of the sport, while other versions - including Classic Equestrian with separate run and shoot, perhaps - exist outside the Olympics (perhaps in world Games)