Paris (AFP)
Frenchman Valentin Prades, runner-up of the world in modern pentathlon in 2018 and European title holder, took second place at the European Championships in Bath (England) on Saturday, a silver medal to secure his place at the Olympic Games. -2020 from Tokyo.
Prades was 13 seconds ahead of reigning World Champion James Cook of Great Britain following swimming, fencing, horseback riding and laser-run (running and shooting) events.
"I'm very happy with my performance, it shows I'm still very consistent, but unfortunately Jamie was too strong today to defend my title," said Prades.
"I am very happy to have my Olympic ticket officially tonight in my name, I will be able to prepare the Olympics serenely," he added, giving an appointment to Cook for revenge at the Worlds in four weeks to Budapest.
Valentin Belaud, world champion in 2016 just before the Rio Games, took 10th place.
Each nation can qualify a maximum of two athletes for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. The World Championships-2019, and 2020 at the end of May in Xiamen (China) will each award three places, as well as the qualifying Olympic ranking at May 31, 2020 which offers six places .
A country with more than two qualified athletes will be able to choose its two representatives for Tokyo.
The European Championships conclude on Sunday with the women's event and the Rio-2016 Olympic vice-champion, Elodie Clouvel.
© 2019 AFP