Although no Paris 2024 places can be secured at the season-opening Pentathlon World Cup, athletes can still seal berths at the Pentathlon World Cup event in Ankara, Turkey, where the first Olympic qualification places will be decided.

The World Cup event in Cairo will follow the new modern pentathlon elimination system format used during 2022 - featuring a 90 minute showcase of all five disciplines in the semi-finals and finals.

One change to the format this year relates to the pathway from qualification through to the semi-finals and final.

Last season there were seven automatic places in each group, with each of the remaining places allocated to the highest scores of non-automatic qualifiers.  

This season the first 18 finishers in each qualification group will reach the semi-finals, regardless of scores.

Looking forward to the new season International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) President Dr Klaus Schormann said: "I would like to welcome all athletes, coaches and trainers, guests and officials to the first UIPM competition of the 2023 season, which will be an exciting year full of opportunities for athletes to progress and fulfil their dreams.

"As I have said many times in recent years, Egypt has become a trusted pillar of our movement and not only can we expect a high level of organisation and hospitality throughout this UIPM Pentathlon World Cup, we can also rely on our hosts to provide competitive athletes.

"It is wonderful also to see African athletes coming from Burkina Faso and Uganda to take part in this competition alongside ‘new’ modern pentathlon nations from Asia such as India and Thailand.

"Six continents will be represented, which underlines the progress of our global movement.

"I would like to thank the Egyptian Modern Pentathlon Federation for arranging this important annual season-opener, with vital contributions from the Egyptian Government and National Olympic Committee.

"I wish you all a wonderful season of modern pentathlon."

The men’s and women’s finals at the Pentathlon World Cup in Cairo are scheduled to be held on Saturday (March 11), with the mixed relay due to follow on Sunday (March 12).

Further Pentathlon World Cup rounds are scheduled to take place in Turkey, Hungary and Bulgaria, before the Pentathlon World Cup Final, due to be held in Ankara from May 31 to June 4.