UIPM President’s Activities: November/December 2023

02.11. – 06.11.2023: Bali, INA

During a visit to the UIPM 2023 Biathle-Triathle World Championships, UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann had the opportunity to meet with the Indonesia Olympic Committee President, Raja Sapta Oktohari, who expressed strong support for the event in Bali.

Throughout the competition days, it became clear that UIPM’s development sports have the potential for further growth and, when combined with obstacle events, could present a promising and innovative format for future Beach Games.

President Dr Schormann also discussed with Modern Pentathlon Indonesia President Anthony Sunarjo and representatives of the Bali Tourism Office the opportunity for close partnerships between the Sport and Tourism Ministry to enable future sporting events to be held on the beautiful island.

Dr Schormann handed over diploma certificates to a group of judges who passed Level 1 of UIPM’s Judges Certification Programme (JCP) together with Technical Delegate Agnes Kulcsar.

 

13.11. – 15.11.2023: Lausanne, SUI

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann and Secretary General Shiny Fang held a meeting with IOC President Dr Thomas Bach one month after the historic outcome of the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai (IND), where Modern Pentathlon was confirmed in the programme for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ongoing initiatives within UIPM and the commitment of the Union to ensuring the success of the Paris 2024 Games.

The UIPM leadership aims to enlarge television viewership, a priority shared by the IOC. Additionally, the focus is on preparing a spectacular sporting event beyond 2024, with the integration of Obstacle as a new discipline for Modern Pentathlon.

After the IOC President meeting, President Dr Schormann led the UIPM leadership in discussions with LA28 Sports Director Niccolo Campriani and LA28 Senior Advisor of Sport Planning Katy Dunnet. Among the topics addressed were the potential modifications to Fencing, which will revert to a different format in LA28.

UIPM also asked for information about potential sports venues in Los Angeles to ensure a remarkable showcase that includes the Obstacle component.

Attending the International Federations (IF) Forum hosted by SportAccord in the Olympic Museum from November 13-15, entitled ‘Sport (R)evolution’, the UIPM President had discussions with peers from various IFs. They discussed the structures of IFs and how they approach crucial issues within their communities.

Other key topics discussed on the podium during the Forum included sustainability, gender balance and strategies for empowering young women to leadership roles, recognising the important role women play in sports leadership.

The women’s movement in Modern Pentathlon started in 1972 and achieved full gender equality when a women’s event was introduced to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Gender equality has a priority on the agenda of UIPM President in the upcoming year.

Prof Dr Uğur Erdener, who was elected unanimously as SportAccord’s new President during the event, said: “This was an excellent edition of the IF Forum, packed full of quality speakers in a dynamic atmosphere that encouraged lots of networking and knowledge-exchange. On behalf of SportAccord, I would like to express sincere thanks to all partners, speakers, delegates and stakeholders who made this event such an outstanding success.“

 

17.11. – 19.11.2023: Ad-hoc Working Group

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann chaired a two-day meeting of the Ad-hoc Working Group charged with formalising the integration of the Federation Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO) into UIPM, welcoming FISO President Ian Adamson and Vice-President Panna Utpaul to his Presidential office in Darmstadt (GER).

The purpose of this group is to evaluate upcoming steps in the integration, including the dissolution of FISO and the recognition of only one National Modern Pentathlon Federation in each country, getting support from FISO representatives for the integration process and ensuring that FISO maintains representation within UIPM.

The meeting was also attended by Shiny Fang (UIPM Secretary General), Joel Bouzou (UIPM Vice President and World Olympians Association President), Rob Stull (UIPM Executive Board Member and NORCECA Confederation President), Alexandre Franca (UIPM Events Operations Director), Fulvia Lucantonio (UIPM Legal Counsel) and Lena Nussbaumer (UIPM Executive Assistant).

 

21.11.2023: IOC Culture & Olympic Heritage Commission

UIPM President Dr Schormann took part in an online IOC Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission meeting under the leadership of IOC Member Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul. Dr Schormann contributed to the meeting with his knowledge about art and educational skills.

The IOC office informed the members that the Culture and Heritage Department will take charge of Culture and Education Functional Areas for long-term Olympic strategies. There will also be an exhibition expertise during Paris 2024, Milano Cortina 2026 and Los Angeles 2028.

Furthermore, the Commission is working on a UNESCO photo exhibition of Opening Ceremony images from May 2024. Alexandra de Navacelle outlined in the name of the Pierre de Coubertin Family Association a cultural event plan for Paris 2024, celebrating Coubertin's legacy, with a concert, exhibition and talks and debates about the founder of Modern Pentathlon in the city of his birth.

The Culture and Heritage Department’s four-year Action Plan prioritised partnerships, communities and digital initiatives. The aim is to include audience-centric approaches, maximising impact, strategic partnerships and the importance of digital platforms.

 

21.11.2023: UIPM Fencing Working Group online meeting

As UIPM President, Dr Schormann attended the first of two meetings of the new Fencing Working Group, chaired by former 1st Vice President Ivar Sisniega OLY, and stressed the importance of Fencing adaptations for the success of LA28.

The goal is to focus on creating a new Fencing format for LA28 in line with IOC principles that fits within a 90-minute competition, a single venue and without any points carried over from previous competitions. President Dr Schormann gave important background information to enable the discussions about innovative Fencing concepts and solutions to be introduced after Paris 2024.

Various proposals were discussed, such as introducing an expanded Fencing Bonus Round, modifying the format, using wireless technology and increasing the number of pistes in the competition venue.

 

01.12.2023: Frankfurt-am-Main, GER

UIPM President Dr Schormann attended the General Assembly of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) along with many close colleagues including Joerg Brokamp (German Shooting Federation Secretary General & World Archery 1st Vice President), Thomas Weikert (DOSB President) and Dr Michael Mronz (IOC Member).

The first item on the agenda was Global Solidarity Amidst Crisis, where the assembly discussed the issues surrounding athletes from Belarus and Russia based on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Insights and recommendations from IOC Member Dr Mronz and UIPM President Dr Schormann helped to increase clarity on the current situation.

The second item on the agenda was German Olympic Bid and Public Sentiment. Delegates explored the atmosphere of the German population regarding a potential bid to host future Olympic Games. The dialogue aimed to measure public enthusiasm and set the stage for future sporting events on German ground.

The third item on the agenda was Upcoming International General Assemblies. Anticipation filled the air as discussions unfolded about the 2024 assemblies featuring crucial elections that will shape the future of global sports governance.

The fourth item on the agenda was Sporting Diplomacy in Brussels. Insiders provided a comprehensive report on the sports political landscape in the European Olympic Committees’ EU office in Brussels, highlighting the key initiatives.

The fifth item on the agenda was E-Sports on the Horizon. The assembly also raised a future agenda item – a thoughtful discussion on the evolving landscape of E-sports, reflecting the dynamic of modern sports.

 

04.12.2023: Journal of Olympic History

President Dr Schormann had a one-hour Zoom meeting with Tom Lough, who competed for the United States in Modern Pentathlon at the Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games and is now writing an article about the “horse era” of Pentathlon (1912-2024) for the Journal of Olympic History.

The UIPM President traced the many changes that have been made in the sport over the years at both athletic and administrative levels. For example, the first big administrative change was in 1948, when the IOC authorised the formation of a separate commission for Biathlon and Modern Pentathlon together. An example of athletic change was when we moved from place ranking to a point system for scoring.

President Dr Schormann also discussed with Mr Lough how UIPM moved the sport down in ages to incorporate student competitions and involve more civilians in addition to the traditional military athletes. These parallel youth competitions also helped feed the Olympic candidates. Youth initiatives also helped lead the way in safety, especially through the changes in shooting from live ammunition to air pistols and finally to the laser pistol.

It was pointed out that when Modern Pentathlon was changed to a one-day event, it showed the IOC new audience appeal that is so important today. This was around the same period of time when Modern Pentathlon expanded from 63 nations to 133 nations as members of UIPM.

Dr Schormann also traced the process for the replacement of Riding with Obstacle and how this can increase the number of nations that have active Modern Pentathlon training programmes. Mr Lough and his writing colleague, sport historian Kevin Witherspoon, are planning to submit the article to the Journal of Olympic History in late 2024.

 

06.12.2023: Bad Homburg, GER

UIPM President Dr Schormann accepted an invitation from Dalibor Jurkic, Germany Consul General to Bosnia-Herzegovina, to further strengthen connections between Germany and Guinea. German and Swiss business institutions were present and Dr Schormann established additional potential contacts, such as in the healthcare sector with Dr Michael Despeghel, a pioneer in the integration of medicine and artificial intelligence.

Additionally, President Dr Schormann had the possibility to speak to a consultant of the President of Commerce office of Guinea, Ly Mamadou Lamarana, about the governance of sport in Guinea and the Guinea Modern Pentathlon Federation (FGPM).

 

06.12.2023: IOC President online meeting

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann and Secretary General Shiny Fang participated in an online meeting with the IOC President, Dr Thomas Bach, and representatives from all IFs.

The IOC President shared updates from the 12th Olympic Summit, covering various topics such as Peace Mission, Olympic & Paralympic Games Paris 2024, Anti-Doping, Politisation of Sport, Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, Future Games, E-Sports, Digital Engagement and Safeguarding.

Dr Schormann took the opportunity to inform the IOC and other IFs about UIPM’s policy regarding Russian and Belarussian athletes. UIPM has established an Independent Panel to assess all applications from Modern Pentathlon athletes with Russia or Belarus passports to participants in UIPM competitions, ensuring compliance with the IOC's criteria for “neutral athletes”.

One of the priorities is to prevent any athletes from engaging in political propaganda. President Dr Schormann also called for close solidarity among IF Presidents to support the Olympic Movement and ensure the success of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.