NEWSLETTERS

The "Pentathlon News" has been a successful monthly publication produced at UIPM headquarters since its conception in the early 1990’s. Throughout this time the newsletter has varied, but in April 2008 the format was distinctly changed resulting in a cleaner illustration of the sport with key articles on the monthly competitions at the front, photographs included and an easier style in which to read. In recent months the newsletter has commenced being translated into Spanish. At present this is a text only version.

Newsletters from 2009 can be downloaded in the box at the righthand side. For editions from previous years please contact UIPM Headquarters.

2009 In Review

January

The year commences with the first Executive Board meeting following the 2008 Congress in November. New members of the Executive Board were welcomed by President Schormann. The UIPM Technical Committe also met to start implementation of the rule changes pertaining to the format as decided in Congress and preparations for the 2009 season. On two opposite ends of the globe Australia and Finland play host to Pentathlon. In Australia the Oceania Championships took place with Angie Darby (AUS) and Scott Peterson (AUS) taking out the titles. In Finland, it is a pentathlon adapted to the winter conditions -shooting, giant slalom, 5.4km cross coutry ski, fencing and riding. The 2009 World Championships website is also announced this month.

February

The International Olympic Committee announced the Youth Olympic Games qualification process, in which Modern Pentathlon will have 24 places per gender. The LOC of the 2009 World Championships reportedon the progress of the renovations undertaken at Crystal Palace (competition venue) and announced the new visa requirements to enter Great Britain. UIPM President, Klaus Schormann travelled to Namibia where he undertook many meetings and discussions about the development of modern pentathlon in the country and surrounding regions.

March

This month the modern pentathlon season began with the first World Cup event in Mexico. Aya Medany (EGY) and Marcin Horbacz (POL) took home gold in the first ever World Cup event to include the new combined shoot/run format. For the first time ever in the Middle East region, Dubai (UAE) held a Biathle competition attended by more then 250 participants. The UIPM Business Affairs Committee held their first meeting discussing a range of issues for marketing and promotion of the sport.

April

World Cup #2 took place in Cairo, Egypt with a strong home team, unfortunately it was not their golden moment with Laura Asadauskaite (LTU) and Ondrej Polivka (CZE) placing their marks on the podium. The 2009 World Championships bought news that the latest Swiss timing swimming system was installed in Crystal Palace, the only place in England to have this facility in this moment.

May

It was a golden month in May with two world cup competitions. Both Laura Asadauskaite (LTU) and Aya Medany (EGY) took home a second gold for the season, while Denis Cerkovskis (LAT) made his first ever podium position at a World Cup with no better then gold and current World Champion, Iila Frolov (RUS) found his rythm for his first podium finish and gold of the year. Ticket sales for the 2009 World Championships in London commenced with British pentathletes Sam Weale and Katy Livingston contributing to the promotional launch. UIPM President, Klaus Schormann visited Chengdu, China which will host the 2010 World Championships, for the Building Ceremony of the Modern Pentathlon Competition Venue. Presentation of research into Modern Pentathlon History was announced with a series of seminars in which the research will be discussed.

June

Asia, Europe and NORCECA all had their continental championships this month. Former UIPM Technical Delegate, Hiltrud Reder received the UIPM Medal of Honour for her outstanding contribution to Modern Pentathlon especially the development of women in the sport. Information regarding the registration for the 2009 UIPM Congress in October.

July

A successful Youth A World Championships were hosted in Cairo, Egypt, with the Hungarian team showing class dominating the medal tally to take four gold medals and one bronze. The Junior World Championships were also held in Kaoshiung, Chinese Taipei were the young Korean squad showed their future potential with a medal haul of four gold medals. The Senior World Championships will be held in the next month, with ticket sales already proving strong having sold out the five-event all day pass!

August

Two new World Champions were crowned in London at the 2009 Senior World Championships. Adam Marosi (HUN) and Qian Chen (CHN) both excelled in their performances to claim the gold medals. The Czech Republic were the most successful nation taking two gold and two silver to top the medal tally. During the Championships, long-serving member of the UIPM Cultural Commission Mr Terry Bunyard was awarded the UIPM Medal of Honour. The LOC of the World Cup Final also lanuched the competition website.

September

Adam Marosi (HUN) and Donata Rimsaite (LTU) took home gold at the World Cup Final in Brazil. For Marosi this was an amazing success making it back to back gold for the recently crowned World Champion. Also in September the 11th Biathle World Championships took place in Monaco. It was an action packed day on the beautiful plage Larvotto where athletes competed in good spirit and enjoyed the beach atmosphere after their hard competitions.

October

The 2009 UIPM Congress produced some exciting decisions including the resolution to begin implementation of the non-air pellet shooting concept in 2010. The Masters showed the world they still have what it takes at the 2009 European Championships in Copenhagen, Demark where they also celebrated their 25 year anniversary. October also signalled change in the UIPM office with Communications Manager Raelene Butler moving on and being replaced by Matthew Pound.

November

The inaugural UIPM Riding Camps occurred in 3 locations around the world where the top 30 Pentathletes developed their riding skills, this proved to be an outstanding success. The pictrogram of the 2012 Olympic Modern Pentathlon event has been released and looks great. There has been some changes to the structure of the 2010 International Calendar and November was the month for love with top Athletes Andejus Zadneprovskis and Laura Asadauskaites getting married.

December

The end of 2009 signalled another exiting year for Modern Pentathlon. We had 2 new World Champions in Adam Marosi (HUN) and Qian Chen (CHN) and the new Combined Event was implemented with enormous success. December saw the successful Panamerican and Singapore Youth Olympic Games Qualification Championships take place which combined attracted hundreds of competitors. UIPM also reflected on the fantastic National and International Judges right across the World.