Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 10 June (BelTA) – Belarus has deserved the right to host the UIPM 2015 World Cup Final, President of the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) Klaus Schormann told a press conference held on 10 June to discuss the forthcoming competitions which are to be held on 11-14 June, BelTA informs.

“These competitions are the main event in the world of modern pentathlon in 2015. Last year I had an honor to see the level of the youth international competitions in Belarus. I must confess I was surprised how the competitions were organized,” Klaus Schormann said. In his words, taking into account the available data the UIPM Executive Committee unanimously supported Belarus as a host of the 2015 World Cup Final. Klaus Schormann also stressed that he had been informed on Belarus’ successful hosting of big international competitions in biathlon and rhythmic gymnastics this year.

Chairman of the Belarusian Modern Pentathlon Federation, MP of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly Nikolai Ivanchenko took note of the course the federation had chosen to develop international contacts and organize high-level competitions in Belarus.

According to Nikolai Ivanchenko, the country has gained considerable experience in hosting the 2013 European Youth Championships and the 2014 European Junior Championships. Besides, Belarus has developed close and constructive working relations with the UIPM authorities and the Executive Committee. Belarusian representatives take part in the work of the UIPM executive bodies, congresses. It gives the country an opportunity to popularize the Belarusian pentathlon in the international arena, Nikolai Ivanchenko said.

The 2015 UIPM World Cup Final will be held at the track and field manege and swimming pool of the Belarusian State University of Physical Education (fencing, swimming) and the national Olympic equestrian center Ratomka (fencing bonus round, show jumping and a combined event of pistol shooting and a 3200m cross-country run). Partaking in the tournament will be 72 best pentathletes from 25 countries. Belarus will be represented by Pavel Tikhonov, Roman Pinchuk, Anastasia Prokopenko and Irina Prosentsova.

The UIPM World Cup is a series of annul sport events in modern pentathlon held under the auspices of the International Modern Pentathlon Union. The series combines four stages and the final event. Winners earn spots in the Olympic Games.

The UIPM Executive Committee announced that Belarus would host the 2015 World Cup Final at the congress in Sofia, Bulgaria in November 2014.