This August, families are being given the chance to enjoy an exciting five-sport event that will see the world’s best Modern Pentathletes compete for continental crowns and Tokyo Olympic places. Hosted at the University of Bath’s £35million Sports Training Village, ‘Gladiators Return’ is the European Championships in Modern Pentathlon and an Olympic qualifier for TeamGB. Spectators will be able to feel part of it all by trying their own mini, family-friendly and fun version.
Kate French in action from the riding phase of the Women’s Senior European Championships Olympic Qualification
Modern Pentathlon, evolving from the Ancient Olympic Game Pentathlon, comprises five diverse sports: swimming, fencing, horse riding, running and laser shooting. Each discipline is held separately, apart from running and laser shooting, which are held together in a challenging and exciting combined laser-run, the final discipline of the competition with the highest points winners from the earlier sports setting out first to be chased down by all challengers. The lead can change hands multiple times in this dramatic, sporting finale. The winner is the first athlete or relay team to cross the line.
Team or individual medals will be awarded on 6, 7, 10 and 11 August, with the semi-finals on 8 and 9. All bar the semi-final events will also see the fantastic spectacle of show-jumping taking place inside the athletics arena.
Samantha Murray in the pool
Britain has some of the best athletes in the world at this sport and they’d love your support, as they chase those medals as well as Tokyo places. Jamie Cooke is the reigning world champion and Joe Choong recently won the World Cup Final, whilst Kate French won silver at last year’s Europeans.
Confidence levels are high in the British team and excitement levels are rising.
Space for spectators to try the sport has been set-aside with options to fence (using foam swords for mini-gladiators), laser-shoot and much, much more. Prices start from as little as £3 for adults and there will be spectator catering in the university’s Sports Cafe and lots of other stalls and activities.
For more details and to buy tickets, click here