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Press Conference Held for the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships, Zhengzhou

Release date: 2023/12/13 15:20:39

The Press Conference Was Held for the 2024 Zhengzhou Double World Championships



On September 26, 2023, at 3:00 PM, a significant press conference took place at the press conference hall of Zhengzhou Municipal People's Government. This event was organized by the UIPM and jointly hosted by the Chinese Modern Pentathlon Association (CMPA), the Henan Provincial Bureau of Sports, and Zhengzhou Municipal People’s Government. Zhengzhou Municipal Bureau of Sports and Zhongyuan District People’s Government are serving as co-organizers, while Zhengzhou Culture, Tourism, and Sports Group is responsible for the event's operations. This momentous press conference marked the official announcement of the 2024 Pentathlon World Championships and Paris Olympics Pentathlon Qualification Event, along with the UIPM 2024 Laser Run World Championships. 

Speech by Ji Daoming, Chairman of the CMPA
Dr. Klaus Schormann, President of the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), delivered his speech.

Ji Daoming, President of CMPA, and, Dr. Klaus Schormann, President of UIPM, made a wonderful speech on behalf of the undertakers and the organizers, elaborating on the spirit of Modern Pentathlon, and the significance of holding the Modern Pentathlon in China, and thanking the host for their efforts and support to the implementation of Zhengzhou Double World Championships.Firstly, I would like to extend my greetings to all the journalists, colleagues in the sports industry, and our esteemed host, Mr. Mayor, along with the Chairman of the China Modern Pentathlon Association (CMPA). It gives me immense pleasure to be present in Zhengzhou today to witness the preparations for the upcoming 2024 Pentathlon World Championships, which include the Paris Olympic Pentathlon Qualification Tournament and the UIPM 2024 Laser Running World Championships.

Just yesterday, I was participating in the Asian Games held in Hangzhou. The Chinese team athletes achieved exceptional results at the Games, particularly in the women's individual and team competitions, securing gold medals. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the organizers, China, as well as our colleagues in the Chinese sports industry. Furthermore, the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou was a resounding success, showcasing impeccable preparation. I believe this sets a remarkable example for us and serves as an excellent symbol of the forthcoming successful hosting of the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships, Zhengzhou.

As we are all aware, Mr. Coubertin is widely recognized as the father of the modern Olympics. The modern Olympics have evolved since their inception in 1912, and the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics holds significant historical relevance, especially as it coincides with the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympics. The 2024 Paris Olympics will undoubtedly be a crucial milestone in history. Additionally, at the 2024 Paris Olympics, we have decided to replace riding competitions with obstacle races, as riding events tend to be costly and challenging to popularize. Our aim is for modern pentathlon to become a national sport, fostering its widespread promotion.

The hosting of the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships, Zhengzhou is equally significant as it marks a pivotal moment in the development of modern pentathlon. Previously a riding-focused sport, we are now undergoing a reform by introducing obstacle racing. This reform has already commenced in the modern pentathlon qualification and championship competitions for young athletes. Therefore, the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships, Zhengzhou hold immense importance in the progression of modern pentathlon.

Earlier today, we visited the Zhengzhou Olympic Sports Center and were greatly impressed by the sports stadium, gymnasium, and swimming pool, all equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. It is well known that China excels in providing top-quality equipment, following the high standards set by the successful hosting of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I am confident that our venue facilities will undoubtedly meet the requirements for next year's the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships, Zhengzhou.

The primary objective of our modern pentathlon alliance is to popularize sports and encourage greater participation among individuals. Hence, we have replaced riding competitions with obstacle races, which can be organized within cities. We are striving to promote participation in various sports competitions within urban areas. I would also like to express my gratitude to all parties in Zhengzhou for their unwavering support of our event. I sincerely hope that modern pentathlon can take root in Zhengzhou, capturing the interest and involvement of more citizens.

During a preparatory seminar held this morning, I proposed the inclusion of parent-child competitions at the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships, Zhengzhou, enabling families to actively participate. This way, the citizens of Zhengzhou will not only be spectators but also contributors, allowing us to effectively convey the essence of modern pentathlon to the next generation and highlight the physical and mental benefits it offers.

I would like to express my thanks and appeal to all media colleagues for their dedicated promotion and coverage of our event. Through your hard work, more people will become aware of our World Double Championships, ensuring real-time global coverage in the future.

Furthermore, I urge more sponsors to join us in our endeavors, and I hope to see an increased number of volunteers supporting the the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships, Zhengzhou. Hangzhou had approximately 37,000 volunteers, and we aspire to have an even larger volunteer force in Zhengzhou. This way, they can not only participate in such a significant sports event but also inspire others to engage in sports and enhance the promotion of sporting activities.

Lastly, as we move forward, let us not forget the importance of inclusivity, keeping in mind Coubertin's famous words: "Let us not leave behind any one person, and let us all join in sports." China has successfully hosted the Winter Olympics, Summer Olympics, and the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, possessing extensive experience in organizing international events. Therefore, I firmly believe that the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships next year will achieve resounding success.

In the spirit of the Winter Olympics motto—"Faster, Higher, Stronger"—I hope that all of us can collaborate and deliver a remarkable the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships to the entire world.

Thank you all!

Chairman Ji Daoming of the CMPA and Dr. Klaus Schormann, President of the UIPM, delivered remarkable speeches on behalf of the organizing and hosting entities. They expounded on the spirit of modern pentathlon and the significance of hosting the event in China, expressing their heartfelt appreciation to the host city for their dedicated efforts and unwavering support in successfully hosting the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships, Zhengzhou. 

Chen Hongmin, Deputy Mayor of Zhengzhou Municipal People's Government, delivered a speech.

Subsequently, Chen Hongmin, Vice Mayor of Zhengzhou Municipal People's Government, announced the event: Zhengzhou Double World Championships will be held in Zhengzhou Olympic Sports Center and supporting venues from May 30, 2024, to June 9, 2024, and every effort will be done to make all the preparations for Zhengzhou Double World Championships.
Unveiling Ceremony

the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships, Zhengzhou are scheduled to take place from May 30th to June 9th, 2024, at the esteemed Zhengzhou Olympic Sports Center. This event marks the highest level of international competition ever hosted in Zhengzhou and the first time that both championships will be held simultaneously in China. It holds great significance as a key international tournament taking place in the Olympic year and serves as a crucial qualifying round for the upcoming Paris international tournament and the Paris Olympics. The opening ceremony and competitions of the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships will be broadcasted live by CCTV, TV stations from over 60 participating countries, as well as popular platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou.

The modern pentathlon, derived from the ancient pentathlon held more than 2,700 years ago at the 18th Ancient Olympic Games, has evolved into its present form. Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, aimed to create a comprehensive test of an athlete's endurance, skill, and intelligence, in a manner akin to the ancient pentathlon. Thus, he proposed a multi-event competition that encompassed swimming, cross-country running, shooting, riding, and fencing. The Swedish Military Sports Confederation embraced his vision and developed these five sports, laying the foundation for the modern pentathlon's development in Europe in the early twentieth century. In 1912, the modern pentathlon made its official debut at the Fifth Olympic Games in Sweden, marking a new era in its evolution, and earning Coubertin the title of the father of modern pentathlon.

Today, the modern pentathlon consists of five individual events: fencing, swimming, riding, shooting, and laser run. The competition follows a sequential format, with each event building upon the previous ones to determine the ultimate victor.

 

Here are the basic rules for each individual event:

 

Swimming: A 200-meter freestyle stroke competition.

 

Fencing: The competition begins with a ranked bout, employing a grand round-robin system where each competitor faces every other competitor once and is ranked based on their final scores. This is followed by a knockout tournament, where the lowest-ranked competitor challenges higher-ranked opponents successively. The winner stays in the ring for continuous bouts, while the defeated competitor exits the competition.

 

Riding: Organizers provide horses, and competitors draw lots to determine the horse they will ride. After a 20-minute warm-up, they compete in an obstacle jumping competition.

 

Laser Run (Running and Shooting): This event combines running and shooting. Competitors run a specified distance, then enter the target area to complete a five-round shooting session at a 10-meter range. Afterward, they continue running for another designated distance before returning to the target area for another round of shooting. There are four rounds of shooting in total, and once the fourth round is completed, competitors proceed directly to the finish line.


The laser run incorporates a handicap start, with the starting order determined by the combined rankings from the swimming, fencing, and riding events. The delay in starting is based on the score difference between the competitor and the highest-ranked athlete. The first competitor to reach the finish line is crowned the overall race winner.

The modern pentathlon's diversity, comprehensiveness, and complexity make it an exceptionally demanding sport, pushing athletes to their physical and mental limits. It requires wisdom and courage both on land and in water, in static and dynamic situations, and embodies the pursuit of a perfect personality.

Zhengzhou, Henan, China     Zhengzhou Olympic Sports Center
Postal Code: 450000
Email: MLWCH2024@163.com

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