Hellenic Modern Pentathlon Federation

In September 2003, Modern Pentathlon is returning to it's ancient birthplace and the city of Olympic Games revival. Athletes from Nations all over the world will unite in Greece to engage in noble competition. The Modern Pentathlon World Championships 2003 for Junior Men & Junior Women will combine history, culture and peace, with sport and Olympism.

The HELLENIC MODERN PENTATHLON FEDERATION hosts this exceptional Competition, inspiring the young Modern Pentathlon generation to celebrate Pentathlon's arrival in the motherland, just one year before "ATHENS 2004" Olympic Games.

More than thirty (30) Nations from all over the world will participate in the "ATHENS 2003" Junior World Championships. This competition will be the best proof that our Olympic Sport's five events are the best reflection of the five Olympic rings and the participation of all five continents in a Worldwide representation.

The HELLENIC MODERN PENTATHLON FEDERATION as Official Organizer of the "ATHENS 2003" Junior World Championships will host the competition in memory of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, father of Olympism and Modern Pentathlon.

The Organizing Committee shall run the competition in accordance with de Coubertin's ideas:

"Tested a man's moral qualities as much as his physical resources and skills, thereby producing the ideal, complete athlete."

The HELLENIC MODERN PENTATHLON FEDERATION during the "ATHENS 2003" Junior World Championships shall combine the sport competition program with Culture. Several cultural and educational events are going to be organized on a daily basis, in order to underline that a pentathlete is the most complete athlete and that Modern Pentathlon is the symbol of achieved education.

U.I.P.M. has declared year 2003 as "Year of Education through Modern Pentathlon". The HELLENIC MODERN PENTATHLON FEDERATION, following UIPM's principals, will host "The Modern Pentathlon Museum" in the official competition hotel. The Organizing Committee, through a unique exhibition, will underline the link between Ancient and Modern. Pentathlon.

Great interest will be obvious during the "Athens 2003 World Championships for Junior Men and Junior Women", as many UIPM Member Federations have shown intent to take part from the start. To date, many strong nations, with really exceptional pentathletes have entered. The list of countries includes Austria, Belarus, Cameroon, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Slovak Republic, Sweden, Chinese Taipei, Ukraine and United States of America.

According to the competition schedule of the event, the Team Relay Competition will be held for Junior Women on Saturday 13 and for Junior Men on Sunday 14 of September. In accordance with UIPM rules, a total number of sixteen (16) teams competing in a One-Day format in each category, may enter the Team-Relay Competition, a number that is based on the results from the Continental or Qualification Competitions on the particular continent. The Nations that have been qualified to enter the Relay Competition for Junior Women are: Australia, Belarus, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Russia, United States of America. The reserve countries for the same category are: 1. Great Britain, 2. Switzerland, 3. Portugal.

The Nations that have been qualified to enter the Relay Competition for Junior Men category are: Australia, Belarus, Chile, China, Dominican Republic, Egypt, France, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Slovak Republic, Ukraine. The reserve countries for the same category are: 1. Germany, 2. Czech Republic, 3. Great Britain, 4. Canada, 5. Switzerland, 6. Lithuania, 7. Italy, 8. Portugal.

The Technical Committee of UIPM, after having received confirmation from all participations for the Junior Men & Junior Women Relay, will confirm the final list of Nations that will enter the Relay Competitions.

UIPM President Klaus Schormann has pointed out that: "Being in Athens one year prior to the Olympic Games is a privilege given to these young athletes. They will feel the atmosphere and the Olympic spirit in this city and this country, which cultivated the ideal of "Pentathlon" for centuries. I ask you to make the most of this occasion - to be aware of the achievements of a tradition, which cultivated the chivalrous sport in the ancient civilization and in modern times. The Junior World Championship is an occasion for young people to get to know each other and to strengthen the spirit of friendship and co-operation among young people and their respective countries, which allowed them to visit this beautiful country of great civilization, culture and Olympic tradition".

Since the International family of Modern Pentathlon is continually growing, Cyprus will participate for the first time in history in this extravaganza of the 2003 World Championships. Cyprus will be represented by one of its athletes, Nikolaos Loukaides, who is training with the support of the Hellenic Modern Pentathlon Federation, amongst the Greek pentathletes that have been selected to enter the World Champs.

The "Modern Pentathlon World Championships 2003" will be carried out with the significant support of a number of sponsors, such as "VIVODI" Telecommunications, "Athens Medical Center", "ERT" television, "PRESIDENT Hotel", "SPORT ESCRIME", "ZEUS" Trophies, "P.KALKANTZAKOS" company etc.