Modern Pentathlon Celebrates at Olympians Reunion Centre

21 | 8 | 2016

The world of Modern Pentathlon descended on the Olympians Reunion Centre by EY on the penultimate day of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games to celebrate the sport and honour its newest Olympic champions.

Over 150 athletes, administrators and officials came from the Deodoro Olympic Park at the conclusion of the event, which was won by Russia’s Alexander Lesun in the men’s and Australia’s Chloe Esposito in the women’s.

The International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) brought together friends and family of the Olympic Movement to highlight the traditional sport’s strong connection with the Games.

The evening began with traditional Brazilian music performed by Rio artists Alma Thomas on vocals and Rodrigo de Marsillac Melsert on piano. Alma Thomas had also performed on the Brazilian edition of The Voice.

President of the International Union of Modern Pentathlon, Dr Klaus Schormann, said:

“We are really celebrating the heritage of the Olympic Movement. Pierre de Coubertin, our father, who created the modern Olympic Games, also created modern pentathlon for the Olympic Games. We are the heritage of the Olympic Movement. We are part of the philosophy of Courbertin.

“The Olympians Reunion Centre is where the world’s Olympians are coming together and it’s really important for the Olympic Games, and the Olympic Movement to have this place. We are proud that our Vice-President, Joël Bouzou, is the president of this Olympians movement.”

President of the WOA, Joël Bouzou, a former modern pentathlon world champion and Olympic bronze medalist, who competed in the sport at four Olympic Games, said:

“I am a pentathlete so you can understand that as World Olympians Association President it is a special moment for me to host the International Union of Modern Pentathletes at the Olympians Reunion Centre by EY.”