President’s View on 2025: A year of rapid change and exciting horizons

By Rob Stull, UIPM President

As I look back on my first full year as UIPM President, what stands out most is the pace of change – and the collective effort it has taken to deliver it. This has been a year defined by action, collaboration and momentum, as Modern Pentathlon has continued one of the most significant periods of evolution in its history.

From the outset, my focus has been clear: to guide that change responsibly, while staying connected to the people and places that make our sport what it is. Over the past year, that has meant spending more time talking to our athletes, National Federations and elected representatives, listening carefully and ensuring that decisions are informed by real experience on the ground.

Sporting evolution has been at the heart of that journey. Throughout the season, the new Pentathlon format continued to take shape. The introduction of Obstacle and Direct Elimination Fencing were landmark moments for our sport.

Seeing these disciplines tested, refined and ultimately embraced by athletes has been one of the most rewarding aspects of 2025. Each event reinforced the same message: Pentathlon is becoming faster, more understandable and watchable and more exciting for both athletes and audiences.

The UIPM 2025 Pentathlon World Championships in Kaunas, Lithuania was a defining milestone. With the full new format on display in an indoor arena, Kaunas showcased Pentathlon as a true entertainment product.

Strong crowds, high-energy competition and positive feedback from athletes, spectators and partners demonstrated what is possible when innovation, presentation and performance come together. It was also an important step in our ambition to build stars and invite the wider public to truly enjoy the show.

Beyond competitions, the year included a lot of travel. I look back on time spent in countries such as Cuba, Bulgaria, South Africa and, most recently, Thailand that highlighted the diversity and collective spirit of our global community.

These experiences reinforced an important strategic principle: that Pentathlon now has the flexibility to thrive as a three-venue sport, adaptable to different facilities, cultures and levels of development. We can host competitions in outdoor stadiums, indoor arenas and against iconic backdrops. We can plug and play in parks, beaches and urban environments.

Key meetings and governance milestones also shaped the year. Attending my first IOC Session as UIPM President, and later the International Federations Forum, offered valuable perspective on the wider Olympic landscape and our role within it. Engaging directly with IOC leadership and fellow International Federation presidents strengthened relationships and underlined the importance of alignment, credibility and innovation as we look toward LA28.

Throughout the year, Executive Board meetings and ongoing dialogue with NFs have helped guide reform in a collaborative way. These discussions have not always been simple, but they have been essential. Meaningful change depends on trust, transparency and a willingness to listen. Outside of the traditional Pentathlon circle, we have had a very progressive year in the integration of World Obstacle into UIPM – a process that will be completed soon, making our movement stronger, more diverse and more appealing to more people.

This first full year has laid strong foundations. I am grateful to all of the athletes, coaches, officials, organisers and partners – as well as the non-stop, hard-working UIPM staff team – who have contributed to every milestone along the way. There is still work ahead, but with momentum building and direction clear, I am confident about where Modern Pentathlon is headed. It’s headed to a very exciting place.