Modern pentathlon to ditch horse riding after Paris Olympics

The decision to drop horse riding from the modern pentathlon from the 2028 Olympics may be “painful” for athletes and the equestrian community but the sport must change with the times, the president of its governing body said on Thursday.

The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) said it would remove horse riding from the Los Angeles Games, with a consultation process beginning soon to find a suitable replacement.

Modern pentathlon has been an Olympic sport since 1912 featuring five events -- fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting and cross-country running.

“The UIPM is fully aware the decision... will come as a disappointment to many members of our global community who love the sport in its current form, including those athletes who have developed their riding ability over many years of training,” UIPM president Klaus Schormann told Reuters.

Please click here to read the rest of the article as it appears on The Sydney Morning Herald website.

Article By Reuters and Phil Lutton