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Pentathlon GB 18 August 2009

The 2009 Modern Pentathlon World Championships, supported by UK Sport's National Lottery funded World Class Events Programme, which drew to a close at Crystal Palace on Monday (17 August), have been labelled a big success.

The championships were the first world championships to feature the new combined run/shoot, which has formed the climax to the sport since the start of this year.

They were also the first world championships to use the new two-athlete format for team relays – a format Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne President Dr Klaus Schormann is keen to see feature on the Olympic programme.

“It has been an excellent world championships,” said Dr Schormann. “It has been organised in one place with everything in walking distance. Everybody has enjoyed it.”

Among the guests attending the championships was Ben Bradshaw, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

During his visit to Crystal Palace he said: “It’s great to see we’re hosting the Modern Pentathlon World Championships in the UK.

“It’s also good to see that pentathlon is so strong as a sport and that we have good prospects of success, both here and at 2012.”

Anthony Temple QC, Pentathlon GB’s Chairman, praised the role of event organizers, staff and volunteers.

He said: “The World Championships require enormous commitment from everyone involved. In the event many athletes, federations and spectators have said how much they enjoyed them and how well organised they were. This considerable success is down in large part to John Woodbridge’s direction and the hard work of Pentathlon GB’s staff and our many volunteers.”

UK Sport Event Consultant and 2009 World Championships Executive Committee member, Lucy Crickmore, said: “It has been a pleasure working with Pentathlon GB in staging this World Championships. UK Sport is delighted to have been able to support this event, which has been an important test of the modern pentathlon competition system ahead of 2012.
 
“The volunteers and officials have delivered an excellent World Championships, and the first of its kind in the new format, which has showcased the sport and provided a world class competition experience for both athletes and spectators.”
 
UK Sport, via its research and innovation programme, also coordinated the production of a bespoke shooting range for the purpose of hosting the new combined run/shoot event, which is likely to play a central role in future international competitions.

Championships Director John Woodbridge said: “I think the championships have been a major success. We have put on a great event.

“When the UIPM changed the format of the sport in November, they had a vision of a pentathlon stadium, with all the action taking place there or nearby, and I think we’ve delivered exactly what they were looking for.

“The shooting range would not have been possible without UK Sport. It was a significant spend and it is by far the best shooting range on the international circuit. We have had interest from other federations about using it as a result of what we have done at Crystal Palace.

“The whole thing would not have been possible without massive amounts of assistance from UK Sport, Crystal Palace staff who have been brilliant working as part of our team, our sponsors, and above all, an army of about 200 volunteers who have given up a huge amount of their time and their holidays to make this work for athletes and coaches.

“We’ve also learned some lessons ahead of 2012,” he added. “The feedback we have had about the championships has been very positive, and I’m delighted.”

Councillor David Royle, Mayor of Medway in Kent, which hosts a round of the modern pentathlon World Cup next year, said: “It’s been a very successful championships and I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly. We are certainly looking forward to hosting the World Cup in Medway next year, when we will have some brand new facilities that we are in the throes of building.”

Britain’s four female Olympic medallists were also at Crystal Palace; Heather Fell, who won silver in Beijing last year, was competing, while Steph Cook (gold medallist at Sydney 2000), Kate Allenby (bronze, Sydney 2000) and Georgina Harland (bronze, Athens 2004) were also at the championships.

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