The International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) announced changes to the competition program.

According to the press service of the organization, equestrian sports will be excluded from the modern pentathlon program for the 2028 Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles.The UIPM will set up an advisory group that will decide what kind of pentathlon competition will replace show jumping. However, any changes will take effect after the 2024 Games in Paris.

The result is that cycling will be the newest event, a change that, according to The Guardian’s report, the UIPM hopes will keep the modern pentathlon as an Olympic event in 2024.

It’s a major change for an event that traces its roots to ancient Greece. The ancient pentathlon included running, jumping, spear-throwing, discus and wrestling. The modern version, which had included pistol shooting, fencing, swimming, horse riding and running, made its debut at the 1912 Stockholm games.

Recall that talk about the need to abandon equestrian sports as part of the pentathlon began after the scandal at the 2020 Olympics. At the Tokyo Games, competitors could not meet their horses until shortly before the horse-riding portion of the competition began, and several riders struggled with their horses. One such rider was Germany’s Annika Schleu. After Raisner punched Schleu’s horse, Saint Boy, the horse refused to jump. Schleu, who was in position to medal in the event, burst into tears and finished 31st. Raisner was banned from the Games.

Source: https://www.cbssports.com/