UNION INTERNATIONALE DE PENTATHLON MODERNE

1. UNION INTERNATIONALE DE PENTATHLON MODERNE

2. Brief History The first attempt to introduce the Combined Event was during the 1987 UIPM Congress in Moulins (FRA). The idea was from Willy Grut, Modern Pentathlon Olympic Champion in London 1948, and former UIPM General Secretary Asia has organised annually Combined Event competitions since the last ten years and the Asian Games has been organised with this format In Europe, the Combined Event format started in 2007 and with it, the important steps to create applicable and valid Combined Event Rules for the future

3. Combined Event Competitions in 2007

4. Rules of the First Official Test Handicap start on the shooting lines 10 shots, 1000m run; 5 shots, 1000m run; 5 shots 1000m run Shooting on a biathlon target, on the 7-zone (59.5 mm) In case of a missed shot, the athlete paid a penalty lap The penalty loop was 70 meters The test was positive The athletes were happy and the spectators enjoyed the event BUT: This format needs a judge for each athlete The penalty laps can create confusion

5. For the aforementioned reasons, the second test was organised without penalty laps. The athletes had unlimited numbers of shots to hit all the targets before starting each running leg.

6. Combined Event Competitions in 2008 2007 UIPM Congress approved testing the Combined Event during 2008 using different rules Thanks to help from the Organisers of the World Cups, NORCECA and European Championships and World Youth Championships it will be possible during 2008 to organise more than 20 Combined Event test competitions The next slides show the tests completed so far this year and the different rules that were applied ………and the future tests

8. 2008 Combined Event Tests in Individual competitions in Relay competitions, including mixed relay (one man-one woman) with different age groups with both genders with and without penalty laps with limited and unlimited numbers of shots with different number of shots in each series with different running lap distances with different time limits for each shooting series

9. Rules for the 2008 Test Events Competitions without penalty laps are easier to organise and to follow Shooting an equal number of targets in each series is simpler to understand Shooting an unlimited number of shots allows the spectators to understand better the competition (the athlete cannot move from the shooting line till he/she has hit all five targets) So that the athlete does not spend too long at the shooting line trying to hit all 5 targets, it is necessary to apply a time limit (the competition is closer and more interesting)

10. The Milestones cont. Studying the balance between the old and new shooting systems, it was decided 3 series of 5 targets in a time limit of 1’30” was optimal After the time limit has expired the athlete can start the running leg The distance of each running leg must be the same (easier to organise and understand)

11. The Milestones cont. The point tables for Senior, Junior, Youth A and Youth B, Men and Women, will be the same The distance and format of Individual and Relay competitions will be nearly the same (easier also for training) Individual 3x5 targets; 3x1000m run Relay 2x5 targets; 2x1000m Run (for each athlete) It will also be possible to split the final into two series to avoid confusion of too many athletes on the course and to simplify the event organisation In this case, warming up of the second series must be arranged in a separate area

14. Combined Event – The System In “A” Category competitions, Electronic targets with visible lamps will be compulsory The Shooting ranges must be constructed in such a way as to protect the athletes from any adverse weather conditions A professional Commentator will be compulsory

26. Mechanical Targets

27. THE TARGET SYSTEM

28. How to set the targets

29. THE SHOOTING LINE

30. How to fix the reset target rope

32. The Competition

33. Relay competition Senior/Junior/Youth A, Men and Women, consists of: Handicap start, 20m run, 5 Targets down (time limit 1’30”); 1000m run; 5 Targets down (time limit 1’30”); 1000m run for each of the 3 athletes. Youth B, Boys and Girls, consists of: Handicap start, 20m run, 5 Targets down (time limit 1’30”); 500m run; 5 Targets down (time limit 1’30”); 1000m run for each of the 3 athletes

40. First Conclusions on the Combined Event We create a more exiting competition. During the Combined Event (Running/Shooting) the final result can change at any moment. We reduce the competition time without interfering with the athletes preparation. We reduced the number of judges needed. We concentrate the last 3 events (Riding, Running, Shooting) in 1½ hours and in the same competition area (the Pentathlon Stadium) which is fantastic for Spectators, Media and Television. We give to the Spectators the real possibility to watch and to understand immediately what is happening (falling targets or lights on electronic targets allow those who are not expert to understand if the shot was good or not). We simplify the current, not so easy, rules It will be easier to recruit new young athletes