An obstacle course in the “Ninja Warrior” style will be an official part of the modern pentathlon in the future and will replace the controversial discipline of show jumping after the 2024 Olympic Games.
As reported by the world association UIMP, 69 out of 83 valid votes were for the inclusion of the discipline, in which the athletes have to swing along rings and climb up a curved wall.
The world association had recently included the steeplechase in the program in test competitions and now hopes to be included again in the program for the Games after Paris by the International Olympic Committee. The obstacle course should already be part of national championships and in the international junior area in 2023.
Equestrian incident at the Tokyo Olympics
The change to the obstacle course is a consequence of the incidents at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in the summer of 2021. In Japan, the German Annika Schleu caused a stir and sharp criticism. The then leader in the intermediate classification had not been able to cope with a horse that had been drawn to her and was completely insecure; she had used crop and spurs desperately.
At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the modern pentathlon will be held with riding for the last time. For the following games in Los Angeles 2028, the sport is not part of the program for the time being.
“We at the association have to look to the future. We don’t forget our past and our origins, but the goal is the future,” said UIMP President Klaus Schormann according to the announcement.