Modern pentathlon’s governing body UIPM said it will hold talks with athletes next week after more than 650 of them called for its executive board to step down following its decision to drop horse riding from the Olympics. UIPM decided on Thursday to remove horse riding from the 2028 Los Angeles Games in the wake of an outcry after a German coach punched a horse that refused to jump a fence at this year’s Tokyo Games. Athletes including current and former Olympic medallists signed a letter which said the executive board (EB) had “undermined 109 years of modern pentathlon” by taking a decision without consulting them and federations, Inside the Games reported. “UIPM is fully aware of the concerns voiced by current and former athletes relating to the executive board decision to replace riding in modern pentathlon,” the UIPM told Reuters. “All athletes who were the recipients of an open …