Jawaid hits form – can set her sights on the Olympics?

A placing among the eight best was the absolute requirement to have a chance to reach the Olympic Games. Marlena Jawaid finished seventh in the World Championship final in modern pentathlon in Zhengzhou, China. As a result, she likely secured a Swedish quota place for Paris.

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Jawaid hits form – can set her sights on the Olympics?
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

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A placement among the eight best was the absolute requirement to have a chance to reach the Olympic Games.

Marlena Jawaid finished seventh in the World Championship final in modern pentathlon in Zhengzhou, China.

With this, she likely secured a Swedish quota place for Paris.

Jawaid, the country's best in her sport, was placed 36th and last Olympic spot before the final. She stayed on 1,394 points and came seventh among the 16 who competed for World Championship medals.

Now it is up to the Swedish Olympic Committee whether they send the 23-year-old to the summer games, which begin in less than six weeks.

I know it's tougher this year because we all know it's the last Olympic Games with equestrian, so everyone really wants to qualify. But it's clear that the Olympic Games are the goal, it's a dream we've worked for many years, she said earlier to SVT.

In Paris, the modern pentathlon will be held for the last time with the current concept. After the scandals in Tokyo three years ago, the traditional equestrian event is being removed and replaced with an obstacle course for the athletes.

Something Marlena Jawaid dislikes, so strongly that she might leave the sport.

If you had asked me two years ago, I would have said I'm going to continue. But now, with this change... We'll see how it goes, she said to SVT.

The background to the horses disappearing from the modern pentathlon is the scandal surrounding German Annika Schleu in Tokyo. She whipped the horse intensely to make it obey, images that were broadcast around the world and sparked outrage.

Jawaid is trained by Svante Rasmuson, himself an Olympic medallist in modern pentathlon.

So the modern pentathlon is decided:

Fencing: Everyone meets everyone, first valid hit wins. The matches are one minute long. If no one scores a hit, both participants get zero points.

Equestrian: Time riding over twelve obstacles, including at least one double and triple obstacle.

Swimming: 200 metres freestyle.

Combined: Consists of two events, cross-country running and laser pistol shooting. The participants run 800 metres four times and shoot five shots between the runs.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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