Modern Pentathlon Australia slams ‘false and misleading claims’ made by the Australian Multisport Federation

Modern Pentathlon Australia has released a statement to this title in relation to what it says are “false and misleading claims made by the Australian Multisport Federation (AMF) vis-a-vis its relationship to the Olympic sport of modern pentathlon and, by extension, its relationship to the IOC and the AOC (International Olympic Committee and Australian Olympic Committee).”

The article New Australian Multisport Federation launches to strengthen obstacle racing in Brisbane 2032, published on 27th June, advised that AMF had been launched as the peak body for obstacle course racing (OCR), ninja, adventure racing, modern pentathlon and other emerging multisport disciplines in Australia.

Refuting this, Modern Pentathlon Australia state “(we have) been made aware that the claim by Australian Multisport Federation (AMF) to be the peak body for modern pentathlon in Australia is incorrect. 

“Modern Pentathlon Australia (MPA) is the peak body for modern pentathlon in Australia and is recognised as such by the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Olympic Committee and the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (the international federation for modern pentathlon recognised by the International Olympic Committee). 

“Neither the AMF nor World Obstacle (Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles, FISO) have any jurisdiction over modern pentathlon at any level, either nationally or internationally.”

MPA President Maki Takken also emphasised “obstacle racing (as a separate discipline or sport) has not been confirmed as part of the LA 2028 Olympic Games, although that is a claim also being widely promoted by the AMF and YOHKA. 

“Obstacle is simply one (new) element of the Olympic sport of modern pentathlon.”

AMF President (at launch) Russell Nelmes, has consistently generated surprise among a range of sporting groups in seeming to associate fitness obstacle race YOHKA Sports (of which he is Executive Director) with changes being made by the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne and the Olympic movement.

Image credit: UIPM.