After twelve days of exciting sporting action in Krakow, Poland, the Pentathlon GB team emerged successfully from the European Games with a string of medals and two Paris Olympic Games 2024 places.
Pentathlon GB showcased its talent securing impressive achievements, with Olympic and World Champion, Joe Choong, clinching the silver medal, and teammate, Myles Pillage, narrowly missing the podium, finishing fourth.
Charlie Brown delivered a strong performance, securing the 11th position. These outstanding individual accomplishments collectively led the British men to claim the coveted team gold medal.
Olivia Green secured a historic bronze medal in the women’s final – the first individual international medal of her career. Whilst the mixed relay final saw Sam Curry and Jess Varley perform consistently to win bronze for Team GB.
These results placed Pentathlon GB as the leading nation overall on the scoreboard. Choong and Green also collected two of the eight Olympic quota places up for grabs.
Choong says: “Although I went to Poland to win, I am happy with my silver, and delighted to have secured my Olympic place.
This means I can focus on my preparation for Paris 2024 and only compete at the games that suit me and my programme of training. I’m really looking forward to the World Championships in August and to bringing my A-game to a home crowd!”
Trafford Wilson, CEO, Pentathlon GB says: “We are immensely proud of the team’s performance at the European Games and congratulate them on their well-deserved success.
Our sights are firmly set on the future, with the World Championships in August being held in Bath, UK, where athletes will have another chance to win international medals and earn further Paris 2024 qualification places.
“Paris 2024 is drawing ever closer, and Pentathlon GB’s focus is now directed towards supporting our team on their journey to qualify for and prepare for the Olympic Games.
We remain committed to nurturing our athletes’ talents, fostering their growth and providing them with the resources they need to excel on the world stage. Together, we will continue to push boundaries and overcome challenges.”
The World Championships in August 2023 is the first time Great Britain has hosted the event since 2009. The sporting event will be contested in the new 90-minute format, which gives people the opportunity to watch athletes compete in five different sporting disciplines from one seat, including fencing, horse-riding and laser run live from an outdoor arena at the Team Bath Sports Training Village, while the swimming section – taking place at the University of Bath’s Olympic-sized pool – will be broadcast via a large video screen in the stadium.
Wilson says: “Spectators are sure to have a thrilling experience. The new format gives people the opportunity to see world-class athletes do five different sporting disciplines, all from one seat.”
Choong is among the British athletes competing at the World Championships this summer. He says: “I’m looking forward to competing with the home advantage at the World Championships in August.
Bath is a special place and my home city. I love competing when I’m not living out of a suitcase, it gives me the space and time to relax away from the competition.”