The Modern Pentathlon World Cup in February created a $5.7-million economic impact on Southwest Florida’s economy, according to a study released by Visit Sarasota County. That’s more than twice the impact of a pentathlon event held last June, and a sign of the growing importance of sports in area tourism.

The Sarasota Bradenton Modern Pentathlon Organizing Committee reported that approximately 13,500 guests attended the World Cup events, with about 20 percent of those visiting from outside the region. That compares to 9,000 spectators last June, 150 of whom were international visitors. Last year’s event had an impact of $2 million. The February event, hosted at the Selby Aquatic Center and at Nathan Benderson Park was the second of four connected Olympic-level competitions scheduled here in a three-year span of time. But even more important than the impact of one event, organizers say the success of the Pentathlon helps establish an international reputation for local venues. “We wanted to show other organizers how to host Modern Pentathlon events, and the Sarasota and Bradenton World Cup Games are the perfect example of what we want to do with all of our events,” said Karen Myers, event manager for the Union International de Pentathlon Moderne, the international organization in charge of the pentathlon.  

The U.S. Modern Pentathlon Olympic Trials will be held this coming February, followed by the Modern Pentathlon World Cup in April, and the Sarasota Bradenton Modern Pentathlon Organizing Committee expects more events to be scheduled following the success of the ones already completed. “Our volunteers and interns are becoming skilled professionals. We hope to assist the counties’ efforts to attract additional world class sporting events to the region,” said Katherine Harris, SBMPOC executive chair. “By bringing the Olympic Rings to the Gulf Coast, our region and these competitions have the opportunity to draw a larger national and international audience that patronizes local businesses and merchants.  We can continue to raise the regions’ international reputation as a great place to live, work, play and thrive.”