Here UIPM is introducing to a wider public the recent changes in the format: the combined event, joining running and shooting, which is a thrilling climax to the competition; and the environmentally friendly and not harmful laser pistol.

Yet, despite all the adapting and leading changes, the spirit is still the same, keeping the original idea of a balanced and multitasking athlete brought by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympic Games, who inspired by the ancient Olympic Games and the attributes of a complete soldier.

However, even though Olympic Games might be the highlight of the season, there’s much more to this season than the Olympics, and this will be a busy year which will delight the modern pentathlon fans from all over the world.

Top pentathletes can’t deny they mostly focus on Olympic Games, but the 2012 World Cup series will be a warm up for the Games for those already qualified, a chance for those eligible to get a spot in the national squad when the federation has the hard task to pick those who will be at the Games, and a chance for those who still didn’t meet the qualification standard by gaining precious ranking points.

We can expect all the excitement World Cups have delivered lately, like the up and coming newcomers displaying impressive performances, veterans to show their class, pentathletes under the radar making their breakthrough, and top pentathletes showing how solid they are, while others to struggle and trying put disappointments and health problems back.

The season starts in a months time in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. A new venue for the World Cup and modern pentathlon reaches new audiences, now in the American East Coast. Ranking points from last year’s WC#1 (Palm springs, California, USA) already dropped out, so some pentathletes are willing to repeat a good performance from last year, while others will try to ensure they have a good start this season.

In the following week, pentathletes and crews will go South to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the World Cup #2. Those who competed in previous week will have to fight their tiredness, and the tropical summer weather will be faced by everyone.

Many pentathletes want to get used to the Deodoro Sports Complex in Rio de Janeiro, as they are already looking forward to 2016 Olympic Games.

Due to Olympic schedule, a packed calendar will delight the fans as already in April Europe will be the stage of the second half of regular World Cup events. By this time, many pentathletes will be worried about their situation in this race for a spot at World Cup Final (Chengdu, China) and Olympic Games, some will try to keep the good results up as a single good result won’t be enough for qualification for WC Final and Olympic Games while others will start the season only in European soil and will have to ensure a good performance to keep their hopes alive.

World Cup #3 will be held in Budapest, Hungary, and the strong hosts team will be fighting for places at the podium and try to make sure this year the audience won’t have the fun spoiled by their fellow pentathletes from other countries.

Right after the Hungarian event, eyes will be at the birth city of living legend Andrei Moiseev, the double Olympic champion, as the Russian city of Rostov will host World Cup #4, their first WC event ever. We can expect more than the usual joy and drama as this will be the last chance to book a place in World Cup Final.

In May, the modern and fancy installations of Baron Pierre de Coubertin Modern Pentathlon Centre in Chengdu, China, will be the perfect venue for the World Cup Final which is going to feature the best pentathletes of the season. The 2012 World Championships in Rome, Italy, will precede the World Cup Final in two weeks this year, so we can expect great displays as pentathletes are training hard to peak at the right time.

The competition will deliver precious ranking points and will be the last event before the 1^st June rankings which will decide who are the last pentathletes eligible for the Olympic Games and it’s estimated that around 20 Olympic spots, 10 for each gender, will be known only by this time.

Eduaro Valle