The IOC Vice-President and the Presidents of ASOIF and IBU honoured the UIPM President with various speeches in the French capital.

The Coubertin family and modern pentathlon athletes were also present at the reception for President Klaus Schormann.

Various Olympic leaders, close colleagues and friends attended a special reception to thank Dr Klaus Schormann for his leadership after 31 years in office.

The UIPM President has been in office since 1993 and has made a significant contribution to modern pentathlon and the Olympic Movement as a whole. He recently announced his decision not to stand for re-election at the 73rd UIPM Congress in November 2024.

The reception, organised by the World Olympians Association (WOA) at the House of the Olympians in Paris 2024, attracted guests from across the Olympic family.

Speakers included Francesco Ricci Bitti (President of the Association of International Summer Olympic Federations and Honorary President of the International Tennis Federation), Dr Uğur Erdener (Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee, President of the Turkish Olympic Committee and World Archery) and Olle Dahlin (President of the International Biathlon Union).

Other dignitaries present on the evening of 3 August included Ingmar de Vos (President of the International Equestrian Federation, who will succeed Ricci Bitti as President of ASOIF), Kee-Heung Lee (IOC member and President of the Korean Olympic Committee), Dr Chungwon Choue and Jeongkang Seo (President and Secretary General of World Taekwondo respectively).

Among the speakers who honoured President Dr Schormann during the event were Yasser Hefny OLY (President of the UIPM Athletes Committee) and Alexandra de Navacelle de Coubertin (President of the Pierre de Coubertin Family Association). President Dr Schormann presented Mrs Navacelle de Coubertin with an oak cup in recognition of her direct relative's unparalleled contribution to the Olympic Games.

Joel Bouzou OLY (President of the WOA and Vice-President of the UIPM) gave the welcome address, while Rob Stull OLY (President of the NORCECA Modern Pentathlon Confederation) acted as Master of Ceremonies.

ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: "In my opinion, his legacy is unparalleled and will last forever. His service spans over 31 years, starting much earlier in Germany and in other capacities. I would also say that he has unique values in being open to innovation. His sport was really under scrutiny for a long time in the Olympic programme discussions. Now it is protected and confirmed for Los Angeles 2028".

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: "I was very pleased to see how many people from the Olympic family gathered for a reception related to my 31 years of service as President of the UIPM and four years as Vice President of both sports, Modern Pentathlon and Biathlon.

"We had leaders from National Olympic Committees and International Federations, IOC members, friends, media and sponsors, all of whom joined us for this special occasion at the House of the Olympians to send a clear message: I have always wanted to be close to the athletes," he added.

"I was deeply moved by the speeches of the Presidents of ASOIF, the Turkish NOC and World Archery in connection with my life's work and by the way Yasser Hefny spoke about what I have done for the athletes, for the Olympic Movement and for our sport, created by Coubertin". Schormann said.

"Alexandra de Navacelle de Coubertin also gave a speech in which she emphasised how much I, together with my colleagues, have worked to protect Coubertin's legacy and to take care of his heritage," concluded Schormann,who took over as head of the modern pentathlon in 1993.

In his extensive speech, he also thanked his biathlon colleagues. "The message of IBU President Olle Dahlin was also very important to me. We must not forget that pentathlon and biathlon have been together under the UIPMB for 40 years and we have a great friendship and a common heritage".

At the end of the tribute evening, he could not hide his joy and emotion. "It was wonderful that we could have this evening and I hope to continue to serve the Union in some way after the Congress. I wish all nations and athletes every success at the Paris Olympic Games, 130 years after the modern Olympic Games and 100 years after the second Olympic Games in Paris. We are sending the message that sport can help to build a better and more peaceful world."