Sarasota marks Modern Pentathlon's final stop

Three years ago, Sarasota-Bradenton won a bid to host modern pentathlon’s 2014 World Cup Final, 2015 World Cup No. 1 and the 2016 World Cup Final, beating out Budapest, Cairo and Rome, who all were in the running. 

It was “close to a miracle” said five-time Summer and Winter Olympian Liston Bochette, who credited former Secretary of State Katherine Harris’ influence and passion for bringing the sport to Southwest Florida. 

Next week, Sarasota will welcome 72 athletes from 28 nations for the last of five 2016 World Cup events held throughout the world. 

With the 2016 Olympic Games now 100 days away, international pentathletes will have one final opportunity to try and tally the points necessary to earn one of 33 Olympic qualification spots.

Pentathletes will compete in a series of five modern pentathlon events, including fencing, swimming, riding horses, running and shooting a laser pistol, over the course of the three-day competition, which will be held May 5 through May 8. 

“The Olympic experience can come home to Sarasota,” cultural affairs director Elln Hagney said. “It doesn’t have to be in Rio thousands and thousands of miles away. It’s been happening right here.” 

The event not only is an opportunity to showcase international sport at Nathan Benderson Park and the Sarasota YMCA, but also a way to unite athletes with members of the arts, culture and educational community here in Sarasota. 

The final stage of the World Cup begins May 5 with round-robin fencing at the Sarasota YMCA followed by Opening Ceremonies at 5:30 p.m., at the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Competition will continue throughout the weekend with the finals of all five modern pentathlon disciplines. 

In addition to the competition itself, the local organizing committee has created a series of events to help bring the idea of healthy mind, body and soul to life. Local Olympians will participate in a series of 45-minute Olympian Talks where they will share their personal stories within the Olympic Movement and the importance of healthy competition with community children’s groups. 

“It doesn’t mean much to be an Olympian if you don’t pass it on,” Bochette said. “It’s like a relay. You always look at who’s ahead of you that teaches you and who to pass it on coming up behind you.

“You can’t put a monetary value on it until the kids are adults, but the return on it is guaranteed,” Bochette said. “Hopefully when they become Olympians, they’ll do the same thing.” 

Students also will once again participate in an adopt-a-team program where they will make cards and write letters to incoming pentathletes, as well as provide cheering sections at the games for all of the countries. 

Additionally, spectators can bring a new or gently used book to Nathan Benderson Park or the Sarasota YMCA and receive free admission for two to the games. 

On May 6, USAP Pentathletes will visit Booker Elementary to help build bookcases alongside PTO members. The books from the book drive will be donated to Booker Elementary as well as Ashton Elementary. 

Organizers also are challenging caterers to use local farms as a source for their food. 

“We’re not just hosting the games,” said Harris, the chair of the local organizing committee. “We’ve focused on healthy minds — the education; healthy body — of course the competition; and healthy soul — all of the culture and our sustainable food operation this year.”

An athlete party, which is open to the public, will be held at 9 p.m. May 7, at Evie’s Taven downtown, with closing ceremonies scheduled for 5:30 p.m. May 8. 

“There’s something for everyone,” Hagney said. “We tried to shape our formation of the Olympic experience around the community.”