Tribute to Col Helmut Hornof (1937-2021)

Colonel Helmut Hornof, who supported the Modern Pentathlon movement for more than 50 years, died on March 10 aged 84.

As a sports teacher at the Bundesrealgymnasium from 1965 to 1994, Helmut Hornof coached aspiring pentathletes and supervised trips to competitions at home and abroad.

The Colonel (then a Major) used his military position to help organise competitions such as the Alpine Cup and International Austrian Championships in Wiener Neustadt (AUT) in the 1970s. Later he became an active member of the Masters community.

Peter Engerisser, Chair of the UIPM Masters Committee, said: “Especially in the early days of our Masters community, he was there with passion and commitment, organizing competitions and taking part in Masters events as an active athlete - including the European Masters Championships in Prague in 2003, where he and the team were runner-up won in a four-way battle.

“We will remember him fondly as a wonderful person and an exemplary sports comrade.”

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “From an early stage in the 1970s, Major Hornof was organising high-level competitions. later in his life, Helmut was a passionate participant in the UIPM Masters movement, demonstrating that age is no barrier to athletic prowess and competitive spirit.

“Across the global UIPM movement we will all remember Col Helmut Hornof as a champion of our sport, as a true role model and a caring and dedicated person.”