The modern pentathlon is set to test a radical new 45-minute format that will be “James Bond meets the krypton factor” as part of plans to transform the event after show jumping was scrapped in favor of steeplechases, the Guardian can tell betray.
The proposal, which would feature minimal pauses between a fencing element followed by swimming, steeplechasing and laser cannon events, aims to tap into the US market and give the sport a far greater presence on the global stage.
Among the ideas also discussed is showing athletes’ heartbeats during the race, amplifying the noise of guns during fencing and inviting Hollywood to help transform the way the sport is broadcast change.
Joël Bouzou, vice-president of the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne, the sport’s governing body, promised that the new format and introduction of the steeplechase would be “exciting and successful”.
“In Steeplechase, there are moments where you have to jump, hang and choose options – which means you have to think and there’s a tactical element,” he said. “We want to integrate all of that and find the complete athlete.” When suggested to Bouzou, it sounded like a cross between James Bond and the Krypton factor, he replied, “Exactly.”
Bouzou also defended the controversial decision to end show jumping after a survey by Pentathlon United found that 95% of athletes were dissatisfied with the way the UIPM had implemented the change and said the sport had no choice , if he wants to stay at the Olympics after Paris 2024.
Britain’s James Cooke, the 2018 World Champion: “This is a very emotional issue… but we had to make a decision to secure the future of the sport.” Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images
The Frenchman, who won the world title in 1987, said one problem is that access to horses is very difficult in many parts of Africa and Asia – meaning the sport is not truly global – while the lottery element, horses with riders at events pairing is also “unfair”.
He said: “We understand that some are unhappy. But we have many more people who want to embrace change. We are building the future of our sport.”
Bouzou said the introduction of steeplechasing is part of broader reforms aimed at turning the sport – which was postponed from five days to one in 1996 – into a fast-moving televised event.
“There are some things that still need to be tested,” he said.
“But if we do the whole thing with breaks, it could take about an hour. And if we do it almost continuously, we get about 45 minutes. This is ideal for a live show on American television.”
Michael Payne, a former IOC marketing director who was invited as an outside expert to join the UIPM’s fifth discipline working group, said the sport had no choice but to undergo radical reform.
“The IOC has presented fairly rigorous research data covering television audiences, social following, global footprint, viewership and costs,” he said.
“And the modern pentathlon scores at the bottom. Unless you transform it, it no longer contributes to the success, development and strength of the Olympics.”
Payne said David Hill, the former head of Fox Sports, reiterated the point ahead of Monday’s decision. “David, possibly the greatest living sports TV producer, told Modern Pentathlon, ‘Right now you’re on the brink of death, but you have the potential to be a prime time player if you repackage that. ‘”
Peter Hutton, former CEO of Eurosport and now head of sports and entertainment at Meta, also stressed that shorter formats are crucial for television.
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“The counselors in the session said, ‘You don’t have to solve everything now,'” he said. “But the most important thing is that you present a vision and an image that the IOC and LA 2028 are like, ‘Hallelujah, they’ve come back with something that’s pretty damn exciting and good.’ And they have.”
British athlete James Cooke, the 2018 world champion, said he supported the reforms but acknowledged the sport was divided. “It’s a very emotional issue,” said Cooke, who sits on the UIPM Athletes’ Commission.
“I also have a very close affinity with equestrian sports, but we had to make a decision to ensure the future of the sport.
“We’ve been under pressure, not just from the IOC, but about how we can develop the sport in nations that don’t have direct access to horses. Hopefully it’s a new era in terms of launching and growing in more nations to make it a global sport.”
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