ONE OF THE oldest Olympic sports has undergone a radical makeover this year – with the introduction of a Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course.
Modern Pentathlon, conceived originally by the founder of the modern Olympics, has been part of the summer roster since its introduction at the Stockholm 1912 Games.
Horse riding has been axed from the Modern Pentathlon for the Los Angeles Olympic Games[/caption]
From 2028, athletes will take part in a ninja-inspired obstacle course[/caption]
It takes inspiration from TV show Ninja Warrior[/caption]
Athletes will have to undergo various bouts of strength and agility[/caption]
It was seen as the ultimate skill of athletic endeavour, incorporating fencing, swimming, horseriding, shooting and running.
However, the riding element has now been removed following controversy at the Covid-hit Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) decided to axe it after distressing scenes in Japan when a horse was punched by German coach Kim Raisner after it refused to jump a fence.
Images of that punch made global headlines and the UIPM were forced to act to preserve its status at the biggest sporting event on the planet.
Though showjumping was part of the show at the Paris 2024 Olympics, there was pressure from the International Olympic Committee to come up with a new fifth discipline.
For the LA 2028 Olympics, there will be an obstacle course, which is similar to what contestants must negotiate on the ITV show Ninja Warrior UK hosted by Ben Shephard, Rochelle Humes and Chris Kamara.
Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) is a popular concept where stars fly through the air and push themselves to their physical limits over all manner of different barriers, hurdles and challenges.
Obstacle courses have been part of the 2025 World Cup circuit and it will be showcased during the five-day World Championships, which start on Tuesday in the Lithuanian city of Kaunas.
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It is a major roll of the dice by officials to ensure Modern Pentathlon is not chucked out of the Brisbane 2032 schedule by the IOC.
Courses are 70 metres in length with eight obstacles, six of which are fixed and two that are determined the day before qualification and semi-finals.
The Modern Pentathlon sees athletes take part in multiple events including shooting[/caption]
A gruelling run is also required in the tough event[/caption]
Pentathletes are forced to swing from wheels and hoops, go up-and-under barriers and run across platform steps, balance beams and tilting ladders.
Once they have climbed a ‘tsunami wall’ they have to press a buzzer to signal the end of their run, which usually takes 30 seconds.
It is fast and furious and a race against the clock but each individual must cover the course in their own lane without touching the ground outside designated areas.
Should they fall on to padded crash mats or fail to complete an obstacle they will be given time penalties – or even eliminated from the competition.
Traditionalists will not be happy with the chan ge and Britain’s 2020 Olympic champion Joe Choong had vowed to quit the sport if horse riding was scrapped.
Emma Whitaker, one of Britain’s leading female pentathletes, told SunSport: “I think it’s great.
“If I’m speaking to friends and family outside of the sport and they go, ‘What’s OCR?’ I always say: ‘Think Ninja Warrior.’ It’s quite similar. The obstacles might be a little trickier in my opinion.
“I’m personally really sad that horse riding has gone – it’s a strength of mine and I loved the training, I loved competing.
“But the future of the sport is more important. I could carry on doing pentathlon with horse riding but if it’s not in the Olympics, then it’s not an elite sport.
“I’m disappointed but I’m more bothered about competing in an Olympic sport. I have learned and picked up OCR quite well.
“I’m really enjoying learning a new sport. It’s a bumpy journey. Because you’re learning a new sport.
“The journey of learning a new sport is always challenging and exciting but I think the future is really exciting for pentathlon.
“Athletes are accepting it and we’re enjoying it. We’re hopefully displaying a good competition, so hopefully the spectators can also grow to love it.”
