Update: 

At the UIPM Congress slightly updated wording to the original wording of motion 3 below was approved.

This was:

‘UIPM Sports’ encompass Modern Pentathlon and every combination of its disciplines outlined in article 2.2, as well as obstacle sport . This includes Tetrathlon (and four disciplines), Triathle (swimming, laser run or any three disciplines), Obstacle Laser Run, Biathle (continuous run/swim), Laser Run (a combined event of running and laser shooting), and standalone disciplines of Obstacle sport.”

While it is disappointing that the UIPM national federations have taken this step, British Obstacle Sports remains fully committed to our national recognition process. As World Obstacle continues to operate, our application to the UK Sports Councils remains unaffected. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and update our members as needed.

The details were discussed further on Episode 211 of the UKOCR Swift Half podcast.

British Obstacle Sports does not support the UIPM Executive Board’s Motion 3, which proposes to designate obstacle course racing (OCR) and ninja as standalone disciplines under UIPM governance at the upcoming UIPM Congress on 16-17 November 2024.

We support the ongoing discussions between World Obstacle and the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) regarding a potential merger between the two bodies. However, at the 2024 World Obstacle Congress, we specifically called for an integration plan, subject to the approval of national federations representing obstacle sports before a merger took place. This requirement was endorsed by the national federations in attendance.

The motion to be voted on by pentathlon federations includes language that would amend UIPM’s articles, declaring itself the sole international governing body for OCR and ninja sport, currently overseen by World Obstacle. We believe this approach risks serious disruption to our shared sports, and as such, UIPM should refrain from proceeding with including this wording until an integration agreement has been reached and this has been approved by World Obstacle federations.

We therefore urge UIPM to revise Motion 3.

For clarification, British Obstacle Sports is the national governing body for OCR and ninja sport within the UK and does not have jurisdiction over adventure racing.

Reference: UIPM motion proposal with areas of concerns highlighted in blue.