Selby Aquatic Center, Nathan Benderson Park to house 2015 Modern Pentathlon

The afternoon heat didn't bother Chairwoman of the Sarasota-Bradenton pentathlon foundation Katherine Harris Oct. 15.

The beads of sweat forming across her forehead couldn’t bother her; she had big news.

Harris signaled behind her to the venue that will house various events of the 2015 Modern Pentathlon First World Cup Feb. 17 through Feb. 22 — Nathan Benderson Park.

"People are talking about Bradenton and Sarasota," Harris said. "(Having the event in Sarasota) is a gift to our community."

Harris, alongside Rob Stull, USA Pentathlon managing director, and other key players of the Olympic event, announced that Sarasota's multi-purpose venue will host equestrian jumping, running and shooting events Feb. 19 through Feb. 22. The park will also host the Food, Wine and Cultural Celebration, which starts at noon Feb. 18.

Other Sarasota locations will serve as venues as well, including Selby Aquatic Center's Potter Park, which will house fencing and swimming events Feb. 18 through Feb. 22. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art will host the opening ceremony from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 17. 

To Stull, Sarasota embodies the three values on which Olympic events are based — excellence, fair play and friendship. He said the area is a prime location for the pentathlon.

Aside from the time and date specifics, the event organizers boasted area impacts that would leave a lasting impression on Bradenton and Sarasota markets. Harris estimated more than $10 million in economic boosts to the area, as competitors check in to area hotels, shop at The Mall at University Town Center and eat at local restaurants.

In conjunction with the event, Elln Hagney, Sarasota-Bradenton Modern Pentathlon director of cultural affairs, hopes the Olympians and Olympic hopefuls participating in the event will expand their reach beyond the event.

Hagney is planning for the participants to meet with local youth groups to talk to children about the importance of healthy competition and hot-button issues, such as bullying.

The discussions will improve children's understanding of cultures and diversity, Hagney said.

"We want this pentathlon to be Sarasota and Bradenton's cultural event," Hagney said. "We're setting the bar and we're telling (other areas), 'Now you try and beat us.'"

For more information on the 2015 Modern Pentathlon First World Cup, visit sbpentathlon.com.

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].

Pentathlon events include:

Military precision (fencing and laser shooting)

Navigating a river (swimming)

Overcoming obstacles on an unfamiliar horse (show jumping)

Traveling on foot (running)

By the numbers:

20,000 — the number of spectators officials anticipate for the pentathlon

190 — the number of participating athletes

6 — the number of event-related partnerships with local grade schools and colleges 

5 — the number of event types to be held at the pentathlon