Egypt to host 1st stop of 2008 modern pentathlon world cup series

CAIRO, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The first stop of the 2008 World Cup series of modern pentathlon is to be held in the Egyptian capital of Cairo from Feb. 19 to 24, the organizing committee said on Monday.

Ahmed Nasser, President of the Egyptian Federation of Modern Pentathlon (EFMP) and head of the supreme organizing committee of the 2008 World Cup in Cairo, made the announcement at a press conference here on Monday evening.

In a welcome address, Nasser said he is very proud and honored with the trust of the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) for Egypt to host the World Cup for the third contiguous year.

John Helmick, vice president of the UIPM, said the competition here is very important for the athletes who are contesting to be qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in this August.

"The goal for all the athletes is to qualify to compete in Beijing," said Helmick, adding here is the chance for the athletes to begin earning the world ranking points this year that will quality them for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

According to the organizing committee, a technical meeting will be held on Feb. 19 and the semifinals will start on Feb. 20. Finals for women and men are scheduled for Feb. 22 and 23 respectively.

Some 150 athletes from more than 30 countries and regions will participate in the first stop of the 2008 World Cup series in Cairo.