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

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.

Among the ideas also being discussed is showing athletes’ heartbeats as they race, amplifying the noise of the weapons during fencing, and inviting Hollywood to help transform the way the sport is broadcast.

Joël Bouzou, the vice-president of the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne, the sport’s governing body, promised the new format and introduction of obstacle racing would be “exciting and successful.”

“With obstacle racing there are moments when you have to jump, hang, and have to choose options – which means you have to think and there is a tactical element,” he added. “We want to integrate all of this and find the complete athlete.

When it was suggested to Bouzou it sounded like a cross between James Bond and the Krypton Factor, he replied: “Exactly.”

Bouzou also defended the controversial decision to drop show jumping, following a poll by Pentathlon United which found that 95% of athletes were unhappy with the way the UIPM had conducted the change, saying the sport had no other choice if it wanted to stay in the Olympics after Paris 2024.

The Frenchman, who won the world title in 1987, said that one problem was that access to horses was very difficult in many parts of Africa and Asia – meaning the sport was not truly global – while the