Modern Pentathlon Transforms with Obstacle Running at LA 2028

Modern pentathlon will undergo a significant transformation at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics as obstacle running will replace horse riding. Rob Stull, the new UIPM president who was elected last week, said this change is not a “rescue operation” for the sport. He emphasized that replacing show jumping with obstacle racing aims to modernize the sport and attract a younger, more diverse audience.

This change follows the controversy during the 2021 Tokyo Games when a German coach struck a horse that refused a fence, sparking outrage and leading to the sport’s removal from the initial list of events for 2028. However, UIPM reinstated modern pentathlon after deciding to make the change following the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Stull a former Olympian who competed in both pentathlon and fencing, rejected any notion that the sport’s change was defensive. He stated that the change aims to grow and evolve the sport, not just to save it. The sport’s evolution is not unprecedented—modern pentathlon has already replaced traditional firearms and swords with laser pistols and electric epees.

Stull expects the shift from equestrian to obstacle racing to boost the sport’s appeal. He hopes to build on the success of pentathlon in Paris and expand its audience in Los Angeles. UIPM has not yet confirmed the venue for modern pentathlon at the 2028 Games but Stull emphasized that securing an iconic location is a priority. He expressed confidence that modern pentathlon could fill any venue, given its unique nature and broad appeal.