UIPM President’s Activities: May 2023

10.05. – 14.05.2023: Sofia, BUL

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann held a meeting with the State President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, during his attendance at UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Sofia.

President Radev received the UIPM President and Secretary General Shiny Fang, along with Bulgaria Modern Pentathlon Federation (BMPF) President Kameliya Aleksandrova and former Sports Minister and BMPF President Andrey Kuzmanov, at his Presidential office in the capital city.

They spoke about matters relating to the development of UIPM Sports in Bulgaria and the benefits of sport to wider society.

President Radev wished success to all athletes participating in the Pentathlon World Cup and accepted a specially made plaque depicting the five Olympic circles, which is unique in its kind, from President Dr Schormann.

President Dr Schormann said: “The Bulgarian State President, Mr Rumen Radev, kindly welcomed us in his office and we had a very stimulating discussion about the importance of sport in society, especially for younger generations.

“We also discussed the evolution Modern Pentathlon based on an innovative vision to bring new audiences to the Olympic Games and new athletes to our historic multi-sport.

“Bulgaria has become a pillar of our movement and this country has the potential to make UIPM Sports available not only in a world-class Modern Pentathlon venue but also in parks, on beaches and in urban city venues.

“Sport can function as a powerful tool to build a solid base of athletes in Bulgaria, with many benefits for wider society.”

Shortly afterwards, Bulgaria Sports Minister Vesela Lecheva hosted another meeting with the UIPM and BMPF delegations and wished them success in the ongoing development of Modern Pentathlon in Bulgaria and worldwide.

Minister Lecheva, who was given a special award by President Dr Schormann, spoke about the importance of volunteers in the staging of sporting competitions and said that Bulgaria was proud to be entrusted with the hosting of an event as important as UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Sofia, especially as part of the Paris 2024 Olympic qualification pathway.

The UIPM President and Secretary General also met with Stefka Kostadinova, President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, during their time in Sofia.

The BOC celebrated its 100th anniversary this month, with IOC President Dr Thomas Bach among the dignitaries who attended the celebrations. President Dr Schormann congratulated President Kostadinova and conveyed gratitude to the Bulgarian Olympic movement for its support of UIPM Sports over the years.

President Kostadinova, the Atlanta 1996 Olympic high jump champion, underlined her strong support for Modern Pentathlon during their discussion, also attended by BMPF President Aleksandrova and former President Kuzmanov.

President Dr Schormann said: “We had a very important meeting with President Kostadinova, discussing the current landscape of sport in Bulgaria and how important it is to build up the youth as a solid base for the future of all sports.

“President Kostadinova praised the strength of the Bulgarian Modern Pentathlon Federation and we had the opportunity to explain the changes taking place in our sport in relation to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The integration of Obstacle promises to transform the popularity of Modern Pentathlon and benefit the whole Olympic movement by following the IOC’s vision for a more accessible, cost-efficient and exciting Olympic Games.

“The NOC President was very excited to hear about UIPM’s plans to reshape its Olympic sport and she spoke very strongly in favour of the change, which gives new generations of athletes from countries all over the world to take part and pursue the dream of becoming Olympians.”

 

17.05. – 24.05.2023: Pattaya, THA

During a visit to the South East Asia (SEA) Championships, President Dr Schormann had the chance to meet and greet 16 Asian countries and speak with them about the future of Modern Pentathlon and the transformative phase of the UIPM Sports movement.

The new Obstacle discipline enables UIPM to assure countries that have previously not been able to take part in World Cups that all countries will have better access to Modern Pentathlon. Countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia spoke strongly in favour of the change and the way it enables them to train athletes for international competitions.

Dr Schormann met Nicholas Chan and Tunku Nazroff, President and Secretary General of the Federation of Modern Pentathlon Malaysia (MPMAS), to discuss future possibilities and how Malaysia can become a host of UIPM multi-sport competitions.

The SEA Championships was the biggest event in the history of the Asian Confederation (AMPC), with 16 nations coming from all over Asia to compete, including Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Sri Lanka and Mongolia.

The competition counted 33 female and 48 male athletes, with Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam getting their first experience of UIPM Sports. The competition can become a catalyst for them to build new National Federations (NFs) in their countries, with the shared aim of UIPM and AMPC to create as many NFs as possible to take part in the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand.

The beach events Laser Run and Triathle showed high standards not only on the athlete performance side but also from an organisational point of view, across the field of play, accommodation, transportation and hospitality. The successful competition enabled athletes not only to compete and sharpen their skills but also to create new friendships through sport.

 

24.05.2023: Bangkok, THA

The UIPM President was joined by the President of the Modern Pentathlon Association of Thailand, Admiral Apiwat Srivardhana, and other NF delegates, in a meeting with IOC Member and Culture & Olympic Heritage Commission Chair, Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul.

During their business lunch they discussed some important matters of the Olympic Movement linked to the Culture & Olympic Heritage Commission, of which President Dr Schormann has been a member since 1994. As well as development aspects of Modern Pentathlon, especially in Thailand and the successful Southeast Asian Championships in Pattaya from May 19-21, they also focused on the SEA Games 2025 which will be in Thailand.

 

30.05. – 31.05.2023: Lausanne, SUI

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann, accompanied by Secretary General Shiny Fang and Executive Assistant Lena Nussbaumer, attended the 47th General Assembly of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).

President Dr Schormann took the chance in Lausanne (SUI) to speak to colleagues from other sports and also to understand their stance in regard to the issue of neutrality for athletes with Russia and Belarus passports in light of the ongoing military occupation of Ukraine and UIPM’s decision to appoint a panel to assess applications from any such athletes in relation to UIPM Sports.

During the General Assembly, a new revenue-sharing structure for all member IFs was discussed and new sports federations were accepted as full ASOIF members.

 

31.05. – 05.06.2023: Ankara, TUR

President Dr Schormann visited the capital of Türkiye for one of the showpiece competitions of the season, the UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Final, where the first two athletes claimed direct quota qualification places for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

During his time in Ankara (TUR), President Dr Schormann shared an evening meeting with Prof Dr Ugur Erdener, IOC Member and President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkey. President Dr Erdener is a strong supporter of Modern Pentathlon and the two Presidents shared a stimulating discussion about various matters of sports politics and UIPM Sports development in Türkiye, accompanied by UIPM Secretary General Shiny Fang.

Throughout the competition, President Dr Schormann had meetings and conversations with National Federation representatives, athletes and coaches taking part in the Pentathlon World Cup Final, held for the second year in succession in a bespoke Pentathlon Arena.