US's Robert Stull is the new president of the modern pentathlon, barely edging out strong Egyptian contender Sherif Al-Erian.
The highly-charged, two-day election held in Riyadh starting 16 November saw the vote go to three rounds before Stull came out the winner 53-48 with one abstention.
In the first round, Al-Erian collected 42 votes and Stull 38 at the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) Congress. Joel Bouzou of France was eliminated after winning just 22 votes.
The second round proved to be extremely contentious. Al-Erian again scored the highest with 51 votes, one more than Stull, with one abstention. This caused loud celebrations and congratulations from Al-Erian’s supporters, but according to Article 10.2 of the UIPM election rules, the rule of absolute majority applies:
“‘Absolute majority’ requires the successful candidate to receive at least one more than half of the total number of votes cast. In assessing the total number of votes cast in relation to a requirement for an absolute majority, odd numbers are to be rounded up.”
Despite maintaining his first vice-president seat, Al-Erian was disappointed that a third round was held, believing the election should have ended after two rounds and he [should have been] declared the winner.
The votes prompted the UIPM official website to describe the elections as “extraordinarily dramatic.”
After the results were announced, Egypt submitted an official objection to the sport’s electoral commission and the president of the general assembly. “If they reject the grievance, Egypt will take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” Al-Erian said.
Stull takes over from German Klaus Schormann on 18 November. He will serve until 2028, a tenure that will include the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games taking place in his home country.
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