Greater than 650 fashionable pentathlon athletes have known as for the manager board of the game’s governing physique to step down after it determined to take away horse driving from the Olympic program, a sports activities publication mentioned.
The pentathlon physique UIPM selected Thursday to take away horse driving from the 2028 Los Angeles Video games after a broad outcry when a German coach punched a horse that refused to leap a fence at this 12 months’s Tokyo Video games.
The athletes who signed the letter, together with present and former Olympic medalists, mentioned the manager board had “undermined 109 years of contemporary pentathlon” by taking a choice with out consulting athletes and member federations, the positioning Contained in the Video games reported on Friday.
The UIPM didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon Saturday.
“As fashionable pentathletes, previous and current, we’re shocked on the UIPM Government Board’s resolution to take away the equestrian self-discipline,” the athletes mentioned within the letter.
“We unanimously declare a vote of no confidence within the president and full government board. Baron Pierre De Coubertin created fashionable pentathlon particularly for the Olympic Video games to showcase the last word athlete.
“The Board say they’re responding to strain from the Worldwide Olympic Committee. We’re all conscious of the challenges fashionable pentathlon faces. We should all the time look to the longer term and maintain our sport shifting ahead.”
The athletes mentioned the UIPM wanted a brand new board that will plan for the game’s “long-term pursuits” whereas additionally standing up for athletes and defending the game’s place on the Olympics.
Fashionable pentathlon, an Olympic sport since 1912, has featured 5 occasions — fencing, swimming, equestrian present leaping, pistol taking pictures and cross-country operating.
UIPM president Klaus Schormann had mentioned though the choice to drop horse driving was “painful”, the game should change with the occasions.
The organisation is to carry elections throughout a web based assembly on Nov. 27 and 28.
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