Medway realises World Cup ambitions
Medway Council is bringing world-class sport to Medway.
The Modern Pentathlon World Cup will be held at the flagship Medway Park facility in 2010.
In January 2008, Pentathlon GB’s board of directors voted to stage the British leg of the modern pentathlon World Cup series in Medway.
Medway Council's commitment to hosting the event was unanimously approved by cabinet on Tuesday, 29 January.
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Subject to ratification by the full council in March and final contractual agreements between partners, Medway will be welcoming 200 of the world’s best modern pentathletes in April 2010. The modern pentathlon is a multi-sport event comprising five disciplines - swimming, fencing, show-jumping, shooting and running. |
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It was introduced to the Olympics by the Games’ founder, Pierre de Coubertin and is recognised as one of the most testing Olympic events.
The World Cup is an annual series of international competitions to find the year’s leading modern pentathlete, attracting the cream of the sport’s competitors from across the globe. The 2010 World Cup is an intrinsic part of the preparation of Pentathlon GB’s elite athletes and officials for 2012.
The four-day competition in 2010 will be held at Medway Park, the former Black Lion leisure centre in Gillingham which is currently undergoing an £11m transformation into a regional centre of sporting excellence.
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Peter Hart, Chief Executive of Pentathlon GB, said: "We have been extremely impressed by Medway’s commitment and enthusiasm for bringing our sport to a new audience, delivering a high-quality event and also providing a programme to ensure the long-term development of the sport.” The cost to Medway Council to stage the event will be capped at £90,000, which includes a programme of sports development activity to encourage the growth of modern pentathlon locally. |
Cllr Howard Doe, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at Medway Council, said: "Medway has aspirations to be recognised as a high-calibre sporting venue for national and international events. It will be a great honour for us to host the modern pentathlon World Cup at Medway Park.”
Sue Mappin, chair of the South East Major Sports Events Group, backed Medway’s bid to stage the 2010 World Cup. She said: "This prestigious sporting event will create greater potential to boost economic growth, presenting the south-east as a competitive, professional and desirable destination to host sporting events.”
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Great Britain has twice won Olympic gold in the sport - in 1976 and 2000 - and Kent’s Georgina Harland won Olympic bronze at Athens in 2004. Medway can also boast a champion modern pentathlete. James Myatt from High Halstow - a member of the Medway Elite Athlete Support Programme - is current GB under-18 champion and is tipped as one of the sport’s future stars at senior level. Read more about the Modern Pentathlon World Cup 2010. |
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