Modern pentathlon confirms steeplechase racing to replace equestrian sport by 2024 | Olympic games

The governing body of modern pentathlon has made the “pioneering decision” to replace equestrian sport with steeplechase racing, despite widespread opposition from athletes.

The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne said steeplechases were chosen from 60 possible options because they were “dynamic and appealing to a global audience” and had “an easy and safe infrastructure for training”.

In addition to fencing, swimming, running and shooting, two variants of the steeplechase will now be tested before the UIPM Congress makes a final decision. If approved, the new discipline will be added to the sport after the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The UIPM said the decision, made by a focus group of 26 athletes, was designed to secure the future of a sport that has been a central part of the Olympics for more than 100 years.

“After many months of detailed discussions, we are about to make a landmark decision that will forever change the history of modern pentathlon,” said Yasser Hefny, Chairman of the UIPM Athletes’ Committee. “While we have yet to finalize details, we have a new and extraordinary opportunity to grow and bring visibility to our sport for the benefit of many generations to come and it is very exciting.”

A survey by Pentathlon United, an independent athletes’ representative body, found that over 95% of athletes were dissatisfied with the way the UIPM implemented the change.

On Sunday, the Guardian revealed that several of the sport’s leading stars had written to the International Olympic Committee, urging it to intervene. That seems unlikely as IOC President Thomas Bach appears to be backing the move after the depressing scenes at last year’s Tokyo Olympics, when a horse was beaten by a German trainer for refusing to jump over a fence jump.

Former British modern pentathlete Kate Allenby, who won bronze for Team GB at the Sydney Olympics, said the athletes would keep fighting. “We have long suspected that the obstacle course was high on the UIPM Board’s agenda to replace horseback riding,” she said. “The decision to only test OCR [obstacle course racing] and none of the other obvious 60 options they considered further emphasize this. We reiterate our call for the IOC to intervene.”