We have the UIPM Members that voted in favour of excluding ‘adventure racing’ from the proposed definition of UIPM Sports to thank for the successful exclusion of our sport from UIPM statutes.
After unsuccessful attempts to engage in conversation with Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM / World Pentathlon), we reached out directly to their members (132 of them) for assistance. It is the members that vote on motions.
According to feedback that we have received, there was quite a debate, but in the end, and with thanks to the national federations that gave us their support, the definition was finalised with ‘adventure racing’ excluded from mention.
A statement published on the UIPM website (Sun, 17 November 2024) reads:
“The UIPM 2024 Congress approved the creation of a new Obstacle Commission to ensure Obstacle sport is adequately developed and commercially exploited. UIPM Statutes were also rewritten in respect of Obstacle, namely article 2.3:
‘UIPM Sports’ encompass Modern Pentathlon and every combination of its disciplines outlined in article 2.2, as well as obstacle sport.. This includes Tetrathlon (and four disciplines), Triathle (swimming, laser run or any three disciplines), Obstacle Laser Run, Biathle (continuous run/swim), Laser Run (a combined event of running and laser shooting), and standalone disciplines of Obstacle sport.”
For us, this is a win, but not yet a victory.
Where previously the standalone disciplines of Obstacle sport were listed in the definition as ‘ninja, obstacle course racing (OCR) and adventure racing’, all three have now been removed. As World Obstacle still claims adventure racing and refuses to relinquish their self-declared hold, we remain at risk when the World Pentathlon and World Obstacle merge.
In this light, we have written to UIPM Headquarters for confirmation that World Pentathlon will never make any claim on adventure racing, including when the merger with World Obstacle is finalised.
