GENEVA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) said Tuesday that a survey in Australia suggests the addition of obstacle racing could increase interest in Olympic modern pentathlon among younger viewers.
According to the sport's governing body, global data company YouGov surveyed 1,500 Australians and found that 35 percent of respondents born in 2000 or later and 34 percent of those born between 1982 and 1999 said they would be more likely to watch the Olympic Games on television or via livestream if it featured a Ninja-style obstacle race.
"The results of the poll indicate significant commonalities between audiences in Australia that consume the world's largest multisport event and those who are interested in the entertainment shows whose popularity led to the integration of obstacle racing into pentathlon," UIPM said in a statement.
More than half of young adult respondents said they watched obstacle racing either regularly or occasionally, while more than 80 percent said they watched at least part of the Olympic Games.
One in four respondents said they would be more likely to attend the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games in person if Ninja-style obstacle racing were included. ■
