The modern pentathlon is to take place without riding after the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. The world association UIPM decided on Thursday, a replacement discipline has not yet been determined. With the reform, the association drew the consequences of the incidents at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. There, the German Annika Schleu and her trainer caused a sensation and criticism.
The leading Schleu at the time had not been able to cope with a completely insecure horse that had been drawn and had used a whip and spurs desperately. Germany’s trainer Raisner had hit the horse with her fist and demanded: “Hit it right!”
The world association (UIPM) has now, according to its own information, initiated a procedure to find a suitable replacement for riding. The association wrote of a “historic step” after the board approved the decision. It was recently rumored that cycling should replace riding.
At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, a different format will be used compared to Tokyo, but riding is still part of it. The changes “will be implemented in time for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028,” it said. The disciplines in modern pentathlon include horse riding, fencing and swimming as well as a combined competition of running and shooting with a laser pistol.