Important Competition and UIPM Calendar Updates

From UIPM:

Dear National Federations,

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Yesterday afternoon (26 January), we held our first meeting of the UIPM Executive Board this year.

We are pleased to tell you that several important decisions were taken, which we hope will provide you with some clarity and a clear sense of direction as we progress further into 2026.

UIPM 2026 Pentathlon World Championships

The city of Guiyang, China will host this year’s flagship Pentathlon competition. The dates will be 24-30 August and it will be quickly followed by the UIPM 2026 Obstacle World Championships in Beijing, creating a unique two-week festival of UIPM Sports in China.

The confirmation of the Pentathlon World Championships is accompanied by several new and amended event dates, to help you finalise your calendars for 2026.

As follows:

9-13 June: UIPM 2026 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest (HUN)
26-28 June: UIPM 2026 Pentathlon World Cup Final, Budapest (HUN)
23-29 July: UIPM 2026 Pentathlon Junior & U17 World Championships, Kaunas (LTU)
16-19 August: 2026 FISU University World Championships Modern Pentathlon, Madrid (ESP)
22-28 August: UIPM 2026 Pentathlon U19 & U15 World Championships, Madrid (ESP)
2-6 September: UIPM 2026 Obstacle World Championships, Beijing (CHN)
21-22 November: UIPM 2026 Congress (online)

Competition Rule Changes

Following the consultation call on 9 December and subsequent tests carried out by athletes and leading coaches from multiple countries, with their detailed feedback also provided to the EB, two changes to Modern Pentathlon Competition Rules proposed by UIPM last year were approved by the Executive Board after a “force majeure” decision made, and will take effect immediately:

Laser Run: the addition of a 5th shooting series at the beginning of laser run. (no change to running distance)

Swimming: a reduction from 200 metres to 100 metres5pts per second at all levels (U13-Senior)Note: Swimming distance at U9-U11 remains 50m.

The changes to Laser Run and Swimming are designed to make Pentathlon a more dynamic spectacle for viewers and will be implemented in the coming 2026 season in the interests of adding compelling value to both the LA28 Olympics and, pending approval by the IOC, the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

Fencing proposal was also carried out to assess the impact of a reduction in the duration of bouts from 60 to 45 seconds, but following the recent receipt of additional proposals, the EB did not vote on any Fencing motion yesterday, meaning the current Fencing rules will remain in place for the 2026 season.

More detailed information about the changes will be provided in the next edition of the UIPM Technical Newsletter.

Finally, in a positive step for our youth development programmes, NFs sending teams to the UIPM U15 World Championships will now be able to enter an unlimited number of teams in Relay competitions, with only the highest-placed team from each NF eligible to win a medal.

UIPM 1st Vice President

The EB voted to approve the President’s appointment of Kitty Chiller AM OLY as 1st Vice President of UIPM. A distinguished sports leader and ambassador for our movement for several decades, Kitty is an influential figure in the 2032 Olympic Games host nation as an EB Member of the Australian Olympic Committee, and becoming the highest-ranking elected female in the history of UIPM.

It was agreed early in 2025 that the appointment of a 1st Vice President would be postponed until after the conclusion of the arbitration procedure raised by the Egyptian Modern Pentathlon Federation against UIPM. As per last week’s official communication, it is essential that we now move forward as one unified community, and this team spirit starts at the top – it was great to hear EB Members becoming the first to congratulate Kitty on her well-deserved appointment.

We are all looking forward to a dynamic and exciting 2026 season, and thank you for your continued support as we work together to shape the future of our sports!

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