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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Exclusive by Sean Ingle

Modern pentathlon to trial ‘James Bond meets Krypton Factor’ 45-minute race

A general view of the swimming event in the women’s modern pentathlon taking place in Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium with the show jumping course set up in the background.
A general view of the women’s modern pentathlon taking place in Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium. Photograph: Iván Alvarado/Reuters

Modern pentathlon is to trial a radical new 45-minute format which will be “like James Bond meets the Krypton Factor” as part of plans to transform the event after discarding show jumping in favour of obstacle racing, the Guardian can reveal.

The proposal, which would involve minimal breaks between a fencing element followed by swimming, obstacle racing and laser gun events, is designed to tap into the US market and give the sport a far bigger presence on the global stage.

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