PARIS. Last Sunday, UIPM supremo Klaus Schormann had a party organised. Personality cult at its finest: under the headline "An appreciation of leadership: Olympic family attends reception for UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann in Paris (FRA)", the highly controversial federation published 198 photos of its president with several big names in the industry, including numerous IOC members and long-time companions.
Schormann, who turned 78 in July, is stepping down after more than three decades as UIPM President and will be succeeded by his old mate and current Vice President Joël Bouzou, a French functionary and string-puller with close ties to Russia. Like the UIPM First Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch and HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, the UIPM Honorary President, Bouzou belongs to the group of influential sports politicians that Schormann gathered around him decades ago in order to preserve the Olympic status of modern pentathlon.
Since the mid-1990s, pentathlon has almost been removed from the Olympic programme several times - but it has been saved time and again, under increasingly dubious circumstances.
So, just a few days ago, Schormann was jubilant in the German news agency dpa:
"We can say that what we have done has always been contemporary, modern and environmentally friendly. And that's why we also see a clear future beyond Los Angeles until 2032, precisely because Australia is a very modern country."
Equestrian was held for the last time in Paris as a part of pentathlon, and the equestrian discipline will be replaced by obstacle from Los Angeles 2028.
The UIPM Treasurer John Helmick from Eugene/Oregon is also part of Schormann's long-standing core team. Helmick was still present at Schormann's party on Sunday ...
... the next day, the whispering began in the pentathlon family. Helmick was no longer seen.
Was Helmick questioned by police investigators in Paris? Has he been locked up in the meantime? Is he in custody? These questions/rumours were cautiously asked.
