Preface
From the V Olympic Games in 1912 in Stockholm,to the XXX Olympic Games in 2012 in London,Modern Pentathlon had crossed the 100 years history of Olympic Movements, Modern Pentathlon in China also has experienced 30 developing years.
As the senior of Chinese Modern Pentathlon,Mr.HAO Gaozhan has been my friend since more than 20 years.He started from coaching and administration,and then became an advanced National Team coach；as one of the first group coaches and judges,he represented China in many competitions organized by UIPM(Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne),Coach Seminar in France,and later passed the UIPM International Judges’test and became the International Judge for all 5 disciplines…,Mr.HAO Gaozhan never stops his contribution and always engages in Chinese Modern Pentathlon undertaking.
In these several years,China hosted 2004 World Cup in Beijing,2006 Junior world Championships in Shanghai,2007 World Cup Final in Beijing,2008 Beijing Olympic Games, 2010 Modern Pentathlon World Championships,2011 World Cup IV,2012 World Cup Final, etc.In different occasions of those competitions,I met and discussed Modern Pentathlon development projects with Mr.HAO,he also introduced the developing history,training, and competition situations of Chinese Modern Pentathlon,discussed his point of view for international Modern Pentathlon activities,and told me about this book-“Modern Pentathlon in China”,which also included in some interesting stories of Modern Pentathlon history. However,after I learned more content of the book,I think the name should be“The Most Multi-talented Sport-Modern Pentathlon”,because it could better embody the soul of Modern Pentathlon,and for readers,it would be easier to understand why Aristotle called it as the“The Most Perfect Sport”.
Perhaps,some of the opinions and standpoints in this book still face dispute,which needs further discussion and more research.Nevertheless,in China,it’s indeed a first book with comprehensive introduction and integrated on Modern Pentathlon knowledge,history, athletes’selection,training,and competition,etc...Not only for helping on coaches and athletes,this book can also popularize and introduce Modern Pentathlon to more youngsters, especially in China who is a big country with more youth,it is a book to let them learn,to train,and to be educated through Modern Pentathlon.Through practicing Modern Pentathlon, to improve mentality,endurance,physical ability and agility；to experience the harmony of human and nature,people and animal,which is always the philosophy of Modern Pentathlon as well as of UIPM.
Modern Pentathlon is a sport that Mr.HAO had undertaken since several decades.Today, when we are celebrating 100 anniversaries of Modern Pentathlon in Olympic Games,this book from Mr.HAO is the best gift for us.
In the name of UIPM,I appreciate what Mr.HAO had done for our sport,at the same time, I wish that Modern Pentathlon as a sport created by the Father of Olympic Movement Baron Pierre de Coubertin,and as a sport coming through ancient Olympic Games and modern Olympic Games,will have a brilliant future!
Dr.Klaus Schormann
President of UIPM