Fairplex will host four legs of the UIPM World Cup series from 2017 ©UIPM

Fairplex, the town which hosts the annual Los Angeles County Fair, has signed a four-year deal to host the United States leg of the Modern Pentathlon World Cup Series Tour each year from 2017 to 2020.

It follows the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) awarding a leg to the US, with the choice of Fairplex made by the USA Modern Pentathlon Board of Directors.

The successful joint-bid was launched by Fairplex, the Los Angeles Sports Council and the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games.

“Being awarded the bid for the modern pentathlon is a boon for Fairplex and all of Los Angeles County,” said Michelle DeMott, vice-president of branding and knowledge management at Fairplex.

“It’s also a big win for sports fans in the area.

"They get a chance to see an Olympic-class, international competition.

"We are extremely pleased and excited.”

The US hosted the opening leg of the 2015 series in Sarasota-Bradenton, with the Florida town due to host next year's Final in May following other legs in Cairo, Rio de Janeiro, Rome and Kecskemét, Hungary.

Sarasota-Bradenton hosted the US-leg of the World Cup series this year, and will also do so in 2016 ©UIPM
Sarasota-Bradenton hosted the US-leg of the World Cup series this year, and will also do so in 2016 ©UIPM

The sport is less popular in the US than many others on the Olympic programme, although Americans have won three silver medals in the sport, most recently by Emily deRiel at Sydney 2000,

It is hoped its popularity will rise in California due to the event being in Fairplex, which was reportedly chosen due to its "location, ease of accessibility from five counties and flexibility of its campus".

“Fairplex has assembled a top-notch team and without question will give this global competition the world-class spotlight it deserves,” said USA Modern Pentathlon chairman Barry Matchett. 

“Fairplex and the Southern California community have the expertise and Olympic passion to take our sport to the next level of success.”

Action in 2017, 2018 and 2019 is tentatively scheduled to take place in late February and the 2020 event in May.

Approximately 40 countries are expected to compete, with the 2020 event also set to serve as the US Olympic Trials for that year's Games in Tokyo.

Los Angeles itself is bidding to host the next edition of the Olympics in 2024, although Woodley Golf Course rather than Fairplex has been mooted as the location for the modern pentathlon competition.



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