Strategy for Preserving Modern Pentathlon in Its Original Composition of Disciplines After the Year 2024

Objectives:The aim of the thesis is to propose a basic strategy for preserving modern pentathlon in its traditional form, as established by baron Pierre de Coubertin, maintaining its original composition of disciplines even after 2024. Starting from the 2025 season, the UIPM will replace equestrianism with a new discipline, which will be obstacle course racing (OCR). Methods:In the introductory part of the thesis, a literature review method of available sources will be used to compile the theoretical foundation. The main part of the thesis will focus on data collection through qualitative research using structured interviews with open-ended questions. In the first phase of the research, data will be collected for the purpose of a SWOT analysis of the current state of modern pentathlon as a sport. In the second phase, data collection will focus on a case study of several pre-selected sports disciplines. This qualitative inductive research will use a larger number of different cases to propose a certain abstraction and to prepare general theory that, with disregard to specific details, should attempt to explain the observed aspects common to all individual cases. In both phases, the research will primarily address organization and management, financing, human resources, and, to a lesser extent, future vision for the direction of the sport. The research part of the thesis will conclude with a comparison of the case study of selected sports disciplines with the results of the SWOT analysis of the current modern pentathlon. Using a comparative method, a basis will be created for formulating a strategy to preserve the modern pentathlon in its original composition of disciplines after 2024. Results:All monitored sports have a stabilized system of organization and management, financing and provision of human resources, both in their Olympic variant and in non-Olympic, exclusively commercial disciplines. It has been confirmed that successful non-Olympic sports sectors are firmly based on financing from the private sector, have very well-developed marketing, sponsorship and either their uniqueness and attractiveness strongly attract the attention of spectators, sports fans and the wider public (boxing, horse riding, extreme diving) or it is mass sports from the point of view of the membership base of amateur athletes (long triathlon, horse riding). At the same time, it was found that in all monitored cases there is either a greater or lesser interdependence between the Olympic and commercial variants of the disciplines of the given sports branches. While some traditional Olympic sports (boxing, diving) have over the years developed a dependence on the Olympic movement, which is their main source of finance and do not have too many successful commercial activities, some have previously prospered well without the Olympic movement and do not need the Olympic Games for their own survival (long triathlon, horse riding). In order to inspire modern pentathlon, those sports sectors that have successfully functioning and profitable commercial projects, which can be inspired by modern pentathlon, despite their many differences, were deliberately selected and compared. Conclusion: The modern pentathlon in its original composition of disciplines can theoretically be preserved after 2024. It will be a big challenge to build this business on a commercial basis. The main tasks will be to ensure the continuity of equestrian training for interested athletes and at the same time to organize an independent pentathlon competition that will include horse riding. Cooperation at the international level will be necessary for the success of the plan.