OCTOBER 6 - CRYSTAL PALACE has been chosen by the Union International de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) as the venue for the 2009 World Championships, it was announced today. The event is expected to give the sport a massive boost during the build-up to the 2012 Olympics.

 

 

"It is great news that our bid, supported by UK Sport, has been successful. Modern Pentathlon has an increasingly strong tradition of success in this country and hosting the World Championships will raise our profile further," said Anthony Temple, chairman of the Modern Pentathlon of Great Britain (MPAGB).

 

The World Championships are sanctioned by the international governing body for the sport, the UIPM, who now boast a membership of over 97 nations.

 

Modern Pentathlon consists of five unique and diverse disciplines- shooting, fencing, swimming, riding and running. Both men and women compete.

 

Held annually, the World Championships is recognised as the most important event in the Pentathlon calendar. The qualifying competitions will see over 100 athletes compete in the men's championship and around 72 athletes in the women’s championship, with representation from 40 different countries.

 

John Scott, UK Sport’s International Director, said: "UK Sport is delighted to make an award of up to £664,000 towards the costs of staging the 2009 World Modern Pentathlon Championships.

 

"This money has been made available through our Lottery funded World Class Events Programme, which aims to secure sporting events of strategic importance in the UK.

 

"Hosting the World Championships on home soil gives us the opportunity to enter additional British athletes in the competition, thereby giving our athletes fantastic experience of competing in a high level international event in front of a home crowd.

 

"It will also provide additional chances for the training of coaches, officials and volunteers in the lead up to the Olympic Games in 2012."

 

President of the UIPM, Klaus Schormann said: "The Executive Board strongly supported the bid, which is linked to the preparations for the Olympic Games in London in 2012.

 

"Based on past experience, we know without doubt that the British federation will organise one of our best World Championships. The venue, Crystal Palace, is also known to us and the Modern Pentathlon family from previous World Championships and international competitions and we look forward to coming back to a popular venue."