Pentathlon drops plan to swap pistols for laser guns

Air pistols had looked to be a thing of the past

The International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) has voted against a plan to replace air pistols with laser guns for the 2012 London Olympics.

The proposal would have cut costs and allowed events to be staged at more venues as it would have been safer.

Pentathlon GB chairman Anthony Temple welcomed the rule clarification.

"This tells athletes and organisers what they need to know and will allow us all to work together to deliver a successful competition," Temple said.

Changing to laser guns would have been the second major change to the sport since the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

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Two of the final events, running and shooting, have been merged to create a combined run-shoot finale.

The three other events that make up the sport are swimming, fencing and showjumping.