Olympic official 'impressed' by area

A high-level Olympic official for the sport of pentathlon visited Sarasota-Bradenton, Jan. 9 through Jan. 10, and came away impressed by local support for four pentathlon events the region will host during the next three years.

Shiny Fang, secretary general of the Union International de Pentathlon Moderne, the international governing body for pentathlon, says Sarasota-Bradenton appears ready to host three World Cup competitions and the Olympic trials in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

“We selected Sarasota-Bradenton based on several strengths, including the broad degree of community involvement its bid conveyed,” Fang said. “Hosting the first pentathlon World Cup final in the United States in over forty years is no minor effort – and I am impressed and excited by the enthusiastic community support I have seen during the last two days.”

Three-time Olympian USA Pentathlon Executive Director Rob Stull accompanied Fang.

Fang met with former Florida Secretary of State and Congresswoman Katherine Harris and other local leaders to evaluate the ongoing preparations for the 2014 World Cup Final scheduled for this June.

Pentathlon is an Olympic sport made of five events: fencing, pistol shooting, equestrian, swimming and running.

Most of the pentathlon events will also be held at Sarasota’s Nathan Benderson Park.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].