Tribute to Uldis Putnins (1954-2020)

The UIPM Sports community in Latvia and around the world is mourning the loss of Uldis Putnins, a two-time world junior champion, revered coach and administrator in Modern Pentathlon.

Uldis first won the world junior crown in 1974 and retained it in 1975, inspiring a love for competition that led the athlete to devote most of his life to sport and the development of new generations of pentathletes.

Uldis trained pentathletes not only in Latvia, but also in Germany. From 1991 to 1993 he took part in administrative work as Secretary General of the Latvia Modern Pentathlon Federation (LMPF).

In 1992 in Barcelona (ESP), he served as senior coach to the first Latvia Modern Pentathlon team to take part in the Olympic Games in Barcelona.

LMPF President Janis Liepins paid a fulsome tribute to his compatriot.

He said: “We have lost a Modern Pentathlon sports specialist, a professional, a promoter of sports and active lifestyle, a competent coach for young athletes and a very smart and good colleague. We express our deepest regret to relatives, friends and colleagues of Uldis Putnins.”