UIPM Secretary General’s Message: Implementation and imagination are the key to integration!

The integration of FISO (World Obstacle) into UIPM marks an important milestone for our movement. But in many ways, this is only the beginning. The real work starts now.

Integration is not simply an organisational step – it is a process that will require commitment, collaboration and clarity of purpose. The cultures, habits and ways of working that have developed within Pentathlon and Obstacle sport communities must now come together, with mutual respect and a shared vision for the future.

Pentathlon represents heritage and innovation, built over 114 years in the Olympic Movement. Obstacle brings energy, creativity and a strong connection to urban sport and younger audiences. Together, they form a powerful combination.

How to succeed?

To make this integration successful, we must think of it not as a single action, but as a broad and evolving dimension of our work.

This includes:

• the development of sports events, new competition formats and sanctioning frameworks
• the creation of new intellectual property events that can showcase the diversity of our disciplines
• educational extensions, where we must equip coaches, judges and athletes with the knowledge and tools to operate across an expanded sporting landscape.

It also requires a coordinated approach to promotion and communication, ensuring that we tell a clear and compelling story about who we are and what we offer. At the same time, we must work closely with national, regional and local governing bodies to support alignment and implementation on the ground.

Achieving balance

Throughout this process, we will need to strike the right balance – embracing new opportunities while maintaining the integrity and values that define our sport.

In a world where divisions dominate international affairs far too often, sport has a unique role to play in bringing people together. As an International Federation, we have a responsibility to create platforms that connect communities, inspire participation and promote understanding across cultures.

Time to get creative

UIPM already offers a rich portfolio of multi-discipline sports, each with its own identity and appeal. With the addition of Obstacle racing – encompassing a variety of formats and disciplines – we are expanding that offer significantly. This creates new possibilities not only for athletes, but also for organisers, partners and fans.

Looking ahead, we are thinking creatively. Concepts such as a UIPM Universe Games, bringing together all of our Pentathlon multisports and Obstacle racing formats, hint at the ambition that will guide our development in the years to come.

Integration will require both careful implementation and bold imagination. If we succeed in combining these two elements, we can build a stronger, more inclusive and more dynamic future for our movement.