Pentathlon is a win for Benderson Park

To secure the bid for the 2015 Modern Pentathlon World Cup No. 1 competition, the Sarasota-Bradenton area faced big-time competition.

Other areas considered included Cairo and Budapest, Hungary. But Sarasota-Bradenton won rights to host the event, which will take place Feb. 17-22, at Nathan Benderson Park.

The competition will feature more than 230 pentathletes from 40 countries.

Pentathletes compete in five events: fencing, swimming, equestrian, running and shooting.

The Modern Pentathlon World Cup took place last year, at Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch. This year the pentathlon will be held at Nathan Benderson Park.

“This year, there will be far more people in terms of attendance — the largest (expected) attendance in United States’ history,” said Katherine Harris, chairwoman of the Sarasota-Bradenton Modern Pentathlon Organizing Committee.

The event will showcase top athletes from around the world, some of whom will go on to compete in the 2016 Olympics.

But it will also showcase the Sarasota-Bradenton area and its arts scene, featuring performances by local arts organizations.

Arts and Olympics used to be synonymous, Harris said, but Olympic-type games started to phase out arts in the mid-1900s.

The Modern Pentathlon will have an economic impact, as well.

“Millions of dollars will be generated (for the local economy),” said Harris.

Along with the 2015 Modern Pentathlon World Cup No. 1, Nathan Benderson Park will also host the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in March 2016, as well as the World Cup final in June 2016.

if you go
What: The 2015 Modern Pentathlon World Cup No. 1 Opening Ceremonies

When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 17

Where: John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota.

Details: The event will include the Parade of Athletes and performances by the U.S. Army Brass Quintet, Pineview Chorus, Rowett’s Boys Choir, Gloria Musicae and Sarasota Military Academy.
Tickets: $20

For more information: sbpentathlon.com.