UIPM President’s Activities: May 2022

10.05.-16.05.2022: Albena, BUL

During a week-long visit to Bulgaria for UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Albena, UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann took part in a wide range of activities.

The visit began with a press conference attended by numerous media representatives, who were briefed on the UIPM season and the decision of the UIPM Executive Board to stage a first test event of Obstacle Discipline after the Pentathlon World Cup Final in Ankara (TUR).

President Dr Schormann also stated that the city of Albena has a lot of opportunities to arrange not only UIPM Pentathlon World Cups but also Biathle-Triathle and Laser Run competitions in close co-operation with the Bulgarian Modern Pentathlon Federation (BMPF) and the tourism sector.

As part of preparations for the competition, 24 officials became certified International Judges by undertaking UIPM Judges Certification Programme (JCP) courses and Dr Schormann presented the group with their certificates after a final workshop coordinated by UIPM Technical Committee Delegate Andrea Dell’Amore.

While in Albena (BUL), the UIPM President met with Kseniya Gulyamova, Secretary General of the Modern Pentathlon Federation of Uzbekistan and a Member of the UIPM Women’s Commission. They discussed the development of Modern Pentathlon in Uzbekistan and Central Asia and the strong support provided for girls and women in sporting activities and leadership. Ms Gulyamova is focusing on educational tools, which have formed part of discussions between the members of the Women’s Commission.

Dr Schormann also met with Col Stefan Marginean, Head of the International Judo Federation (IJF) Military Commission, and presented him with a Modern Pentathlon plaque that will become a historical symbol after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, when the sport adopts a new 5th Discipline. They discussed possibilities for partnership between UIPM and the IJF linked to Peace and Sport.

Kameliya Alexandrova recently took over as President of the BMPF from Andrey Kuzmanov, who is now Minister for Sport of Bulgaria and remains a Member of the UIPM Business Affairs Committee. During a social occasion, Dr Schormann presented President Alexandrova with the plaque awarded to all UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup hosts.

President Dr Schormann, President Aleksandrova and Minister Kuzmanov had numerous meetings during the competition, discussing the long partnership that has existed between UIPM and BMPF and future steps for UIPM competitions, seminars to be hosted in Bulgaria and the ongoing innovation processes linked to the modernisation of Modern Pentathlon for the benefit of future Olympic Games.

11.05.2022: IOC President / IF meeting

During his time in Albena (BUL), UIPM President Dr Schormann took part in an online consultation call with Dr Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and fellow Olympic International Federation leaders. President Dr Bach provided a briefing on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and steps made by the Olympic movement to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

20.05.2022: IOC Session

President Dr Schormann took part online in the 139th IOC Session, at the end of which IOC President Dr Bach answered questions from media about UIPM’s New 5th Discipline process, confirming that open communication is continuing between the two governing bodies on the subject of Modern Pentathlon’s future in the Olympic Games beyond 2024.

Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC Vice President and UIPM 1st Vice President, provided the IOC Session with his final report as Chairman of the IOC Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games Coordination Commission.

20.05.2022: GAISF General Assembly

On the same day, the UIPM President attended the virtual General Assembly of the Global Association of Summer International Federations (GAISF). The agenda included financial matters, memberships and applicants for GAISF membership as well as reports from stakeholders such as the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF), the Alliance of Independent recognised Members of Sport (AIMS) and the IOC.

24.05.2022: Meeting with UIPM Operations Director

Dr Schormann, together with Executive Assistant Lena Nussbaumer, met UIPM Operations Director Dr Alexandre França to discuss general strategic matters around the 2022 season and the future.

And finally…

Dr Schormann wrote to Michael Payne, one of the external marketing experts supporting UIPM with the future of Modern Pentathlon at the Olympic Games through the New 5th Discipline Working Group, to offer congratulations. Mr Payne, a former IOC Marketing Director, won the Illustrated Sports Book of the Year Award at the Sunday Times Sports Book Awards for his publication Toon In.