The Olympics are heading to the obstacle course: "Ninja Sports" will debut in Los Angeles in 2028 (photo)

At the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, modern pentathlon will undergo a significant format change. Equestrian events will be replaced by obstacle courses, a discipline inspired by popular "ninja racing" television shows. The new competition will focus on speedrunning through a course with suspended structures, barriers, and elements that test agility and coordination. Organizers believe this format will make the pentathlon more dynamic and compelling for television broadcasts, combining "prime-time entertainment with Olympic sport." The decision to replace show jumping was made after years of debate within the International Union of Modern Pentathlon. One of the reasons for the reform was the scandal at the Tokyo Games involving athletes' treatment of horses. Therefore, in Los Angeles, athletes will compete for medals in a revamped pentathlon, where classical equestrian events will finally be replaced by an extreme obstacle course.