Modern pentathlon mixed relay would boost Ireland’s Olympic medal prospects

Ireland’s chances of winning medals at the next Olympic Games could increase substantially next month if the International Olympic Committee votes to introduce a new ‘mixed relay’ in modern pentathlon.

Ireland’s world-class pentathletes Natalya Coyle and Arthur Lanigan O’Keeffe — both top eight finishers in Rio last summer — are optimistic that the event will make it onto the Olympic programme for Tokyo 2020.

The mixed relay is part of pentathlon’s World Cup programme and they’ve already proven themselves among the world’s best pairings.