The UIPM has released resources to help with the running of obstacle events ©UIPM

The International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) has released further resources to help event organisers and judges of the obstacle discipline prior to its inclusion in competition this year.

Obstacle is set to replace riding as the fifth element of modern pentathlon and the UIPM is scaling up its integration into the sport.

As a result, it has launched the UIPM obstacle catalogue and obstacle module.

The catalogue is claimed to provide visual and technical details of the obstacles that will form each of the courses built for competitions that will feature in the new discipline this year.

All events featuring it in 2023 will include a course comprising of eight obstacles over a distance of 60 to 70 metres.

Organising Committees hosting the UIPM Pentathlon World Championships for junior and youth age groups will be able to select two of the obstacles from the catalogue of 14, while the other six will be fixed by the UIPM for consistency.

The obstacles in the catalogue were selected by a group assigned to elaborate and test competition features and technical details.

The obstacle module aims to enable judges to add a new certificate to their profile and to prepare for officiating duties.

The UIPM is ramping up preparations for obstacle's inclusion in modern pentathlon events this year ©UIPM
The UIPM is ramping up preparations for obstacle's inclusion in modern pentathlon events this year ©UIPM

It comprises of two videos, a theory section, a test, and it provides advice on the make-up of a course.

"On behalf of the UIPM Executive Board I am delighted to see the release of additional resources that will support the community during this important 2023 season when obstacle becomes integrated into modern pentathlon for the first time," said UIPM President Klaus Schormann.

"Competition organisers and judges will play a vital role in this transitional phase and thanks to these new resources they have a clearer idea about how they can contribute to the evolution of our Olympic multi-sport.

"I commend everybody who has worked hard on the creation of the obstacle catalogue and obstacle module, especially the ad-hoc group that was created in May 2022 after the historic decision by the EB to select obstacle for testing as a new discipline of modern pentathlon.

"The integration of obstacle is central to our mission to not only survive in the Olympic Games, but to transform modern pentathlon into one of the most dynamic, accessible and popular sports in the Olympic Movement."

The Under-17 Pentathlon World Championships, scheduled for July 12 to 16 in Alexandria, is set to be the first modern pentathlon competition to feature obstacle.