UIPM (Union International de Pentathlon Moderne) President Dr Klaus Schormann said he was impressed with how preparations for London 2012 are going.

 

He said: “We have visited the London 2012 committee and seen their plans; they are really convincing us that London will stage a great Games.

 

"Modern Pentathlon is central to their plans and we are very proud and thankful for what LOCOG is doing for us.

 

"Many people will watch our sport in 2012.”
 

It followed the conclusion yesterday of the World Championships at Crystal Palace, where 10 countries won medals, with the Czech Republic winning the most, with two golds and two silvers.

 

Schormann also praised London for its contribution to the Olympic Movement and spoke of how London will always be viewed as a highly significant city in Olympic history.
 

He said: “We are delighted to be in this historic Olympic city for this World Championships.

 

"London has always been an historic and important Olympic City not just because of 2012, but because of its long history in helping set up the Olympic Games."
 

Schormann however, did raise concerns about transport around London come the 2012 Games.

 

He said: “London is a very busy city like all major cities and there is a lot of traffic here.

 

"My only concern is for the traffic and whether the infrastructure will be able to accommodate all of the people that come for the Games.

 

"However, I am sure the organisers for 2012 have given the issue lots of thought and a system for transport will be in place in three years time."

Anthony Temple, chairman of Pentathlon GB, said he was delighted with the high calibre of venues that Modern Pentathlon would be occupying come the London Olympics.

He said: “Everyone in our sport is delighted by the venues that we will be using in 2012.

 

“Greenwich Park [which will host the Modern Pentathlon show jumping event in 2012] is a beautiful, historic and picturesque location and the new facilities we will be using will be absolutely iconic and world class in every way.

 

"The London 2012 Olympics will be fantastic for our sport and introduce it to a completely new audience who may never have witnessed the sport before."

The athletes are equally excited by the prospect of competing in the London 2012 Olympics and the 2008 and 2009 world junior champion Aya Medany said that every event in the next three years is geared towards London 2012, where she hopes to make up for finishing eighth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

She said: “Everything now is preparation for London 2012, where I hope to do better that I did in Beijing.

 

"It will be my time in 2012."