The Championships, which will involve pistol shooting, fencing, 200m swimming, show jumping and a 3km run, will for the first time use laser pistols at the September 1-7 event. The news came just days after the Russian capital was confirmed as the host of this year’s World Figure Skating Championships after the Japan Skating Federation was forced to give up Tokyo’s staging rights in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami earlier this month.
International Modern Pentathlon Federation (UIPM) president Dr. H.C. Klaus Schormann said: “UIPM is very thankful to the Russian Modern Pentathlon federation and to Russian sport in general with whom we have always had a good relationship.”
The 2010 World Championships in Chengdu, China, saw Russia take home two gold medals, one silver and one bronze, and with three qualification spots for the London 2012 Olympics available, competition will be intense.
Russian Modern Pentathlon president Vyacheslav Aminov said: “It is a great honour and joy for Russia to welcome the UIPM family, one year before the Olympic Games.”
UIPM secretary Joel Bouzou added: “This World Championship will be the first conducted in Modern Pentathlon history using laser pistols which will provide a higher level of enjoyment for spectators and fans watching the action in the stadium and on TV around the world.”
