The controversial rule changes have seen the sport’s international body combine two of the five traditional events, shooting and running, into a biathlon-style mixture for the climax of the modern pentathlon and the 2009 World Championships at Crystal Palace, which starts today, are the first to feature the new format

Schormann, President of the UPIM, passionately defended the rule changes claiming that Modern Pentathlon must be willing to evolve in order to maintain its status as an Olympic sport.

He said: “Everyone can see the changes have created a great atmosphere and a real spectacle for the crowds.

“We must take every opportunity to evolve our sport, even if that means making modifications.

"We are confident that we are delivering everything the IOC (Interantional Olympic Committee) is asking of us to ensure our sport remains at the heart of the Olympic movement for years to come”.

Schormann claimed that the new format will not handicap the sport’s participants as he stated “the top athletes are still making the podium and that in itself is the biggest defence of the rule changes.”

Anthony Temple, chairman of Pentathlon GB, echoed Schormann’s stance.

He said: “I think the argument [regarding the new format] has been and gone.

"There is no doubt in my mind that the new format provides a huge amount of excitement and has a far greater appeal to the media than the old format had.

"In order for modern pentathlon to go forwards, we must continually ensure that the sport remains attractive to the media and creates great excitement for the many spectators who thoroughly enjoy it."

Although there have been suggestions that the athletes are critical of the new format, it appears that they have grudgingly accepted that the changes are here to stay in order to increase the sports appeal. Aya Medany, the 2008 World Championship silver medallist, believes the new format is not a handicap for athletes because the rule changes apply to everyone.

The 20-year-old Egyptian pentathlete, who won the 2008 and 2009 World Junior Championships said: “It is good for the sport.

"You get much more interaction from the crowd and all athletes are in the same boat.

"All of the athletes are having to adapt but as the President said, if you are the best, you will still be the best under the new format”.

With the London 2012 Olympics fast approaching, this year's World Championships take on extra significance as organisers hope to provide a superb spectacle as a curtain raiser for the sports biggest event in three years time.

Temple said: “These Games will be a great test for the new format and great opportunity for London to show that it can host a fantastic world championship with 2012 just around the corner."