USA Pentathlon Multisport Names Débrouillard as Official Supplier in New Innovative Partnership
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — USA Pentathlon Multisport (USAPM), the National Governing Body for Modern Pentathlon in the United States, proudly welcomes Débrouillard as an Official Supplier in the casual apparel category. This partnership accelerates USA Pentathlon’s momentum, enhancing resources for athletes and increasing visibility for this demanding multi-discipline sport with a storied Olympic history.
“Attending the Modern Pentathlon event at the 2024 Paris Games with my family was an incredible experience,” said Ryan Carlson, Founder of Debrouillard, Inc. “The sold-out crowd buzzed with excitement, cheering on every event and celebrating the skill, strategy, and athleticism on display. There was an appreciation for the sport’s unique demands, and it’s clear that Modern Pentathlon has the power to excite and inspire. USA Pentathlon Multisport is taking the sport to new heights, and we’re honored to be part of this exciting future.”
“Modern Pentathlon embodies the pinnacle of athletic versatility, and our evolution, which now includes the sport of Ninja Obstacle Racing, is making our extraordinary sport even more engaging and accessible for both athletes and spectators,” said Kevin Montford, CEO of USA Pentathlon Multisport. “This partnership with Débrouillard is unique, it is about vision and brand fit as much as product. As we prepare for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond, our collaboration with Débrouillard strengthens our vision for transformative growth. The future of USA Pentathlon has never been brighter.”
Through this partnership, Débrouillard will provide co-branded apparel and accessories for fans and athletes, including members of the USAPM Charlotte Resident Team, based at the US Performance Center in Charlotte. Exclusive designs will celebrate the sport’s rich heritage and ongoing evolution.
Between the World Wars, Le Championnat des Débrouillards emerged as the spiritual successor to Olympic Games founder Pierre de Coubertin’s Débrouillard Movement. This French competition, emphasizing versatility and resourcefulness, became the precursor to both triathlons and obstacle course racing. It combined elements of running, swimming, bicycling and problem-solving challenges, reflecting Coubertin’s vision of well-rounded “débrouillard” athleticism.
Footage of the 1932 Le Championnat des Débrouillards has been graciously authorized for sharing from the Moving Image Research Collection at The University of South Carolina.
#débrouillard #debrouillard #systèmed #ocr #ocrathlete #ocrlife #triathlon #triathlete
A century ago, it was hard to describe an athlete who could run, cycle, clear obstacles, swim, and adapt through it all in sequence.
The French have a word for that kind of versatility: débrouillard.
Capable, resourceful, and not easily defined.
That idea still guides Débrouillard®.
#débrouillard #debrouillard
It’s a point of pride that Débrouillard products are labeled “Printed in San Francisco” since they are all crafted at the city’s oldest screen printer, Babylon Burning. Congratulations to @babylonburninginc on celebrating their 50th anniversary!
Babylon Burning is literally part of the fabric of the city and designated as a Legacy Business by San Francisco. To thrive in one of the world’s most dynamic cities for half a century is an incredible feat, and they’ve done it through quality and integrity.
Their work extends to so many businesses (huge and small), musicians, creative projects, National Parks, community events, etc… that it’s hard to express, but Débrouillard is happy to be amongst the client base. Purchasing any Débrouillard or Pentathlete products brings that same legacy to you….and brings us closer to our next print with Babylon Burning!
Congrats again on 50 years!
When the founder of the Modern Olympic Games met the President in the White House, “débrouillard” was one topic of lively conversation.
Baron Pierre de Coubertin was so enthusiastic about the Débrouillard program that he made a point of discussing it with Teddy Roosevelt during a White House visit and subsequently awarded Roosevelt the Diplôme des Débrouillards in late 1910.
In April 1910, Roosevelt visited Paris as perhaps the most famous man in the world and made space in his busy schedule to be welcomed at Coubertin’s home. During that visit, Roosevelt spoke at the Sorbonne and delivered one of history’s most celebrated passages, now known as “The Man in the Arena,” from his speech “Citizenship in a Republic.”
Next time you look up at Mount Rushmore, remember that a Débrouillard is carved into the mountain.
#débrouillard #debrouillard #coubertin #theodoreroosevelt #maninthearena
In Paris, it’s thought provoking to take in the environment where Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, lived and established the first base of the International Olympic Committee.
But the Olympics were only part of his vision.
From this same address at 20 Rue Oudinot in the 7th Arrondissement, he launched the Diplôme des Débrouillards, an award for young athletes who could run, swim, fence, climb, and adapt to anything thrown at them.
That philosophy helped shape his introduction of the Modern Pentathlon, the only sport created specifically for the Olympic Games by its founder.
As Coubertin himself stated:
“In the modern world, the débrouillard is king.”
#débrouillard #debrouillard #coubertin #paris #modernpentathlon
“Bleu de travail” is the French term for “working blues.” For over a century, blue workwear was the standard uniform of the industrial era. It was a garment designed specifically to endure physical labor.
The classic jacket and pants were built to protect the body but Débrouillard is built for the mind. This five panel hat is for those who rely on mental leverage over brute force.
It asserts that resourceful thinking is what moves the heaviest loads, both literal and figurative.
#debrouillard #débrouillard #bleudetravail
Over one obstacle, through another, then onto the next challenge. It never ends and why would you want it to?
Motion is life, distance is progress and the feeling of earning it is so good, that it’s hard to want it to come any other way.
The Débrouillard race in 1920s and 30s France placed the obstacles after the run/bike/run and just before the swim. As unique as it is to be a Multisport athlete in 2026, one can only imagine the distinct personality it took to be one in 1930s France!
It’s lost to history if the race took its form to be worthy of the title Débrouillard or if the only possible term to describe such unclassifiable athletes in the original combined race form involving running, bicycling, obstacles and swimming was “débrouillards.”
One analogy this photo frames correctly is the débrouillard to spectator ratio in all aspects of life.
#débrouillard #debrouillard
Champions of Versatility! 🇺🇸
Congratulations to all the athletes at the USA Pentathlon Multisport 2025 National Championships this weekend in Charlotte! The performances were incredible to witness and proof of your deep commitment to training.
Every pentathlete embodied true versatility across the five disciplines, and your tenacity really shone through at the finish line.
Débrouillard is a proud partner of USA Pentathlon Multisport. We look forward to adding to the momentum of the organization and the sport of Modern Pentathlon. It was great connecting with many of you at the event, and we will return next summer with a formal presence.
#pentathlon #pentathlete #modernpentatlon
Annual Débrouillard shipping hiatus starts December 15.
Thanks for making this a year of growth and looking forward to doing more in 2026!
The online shop remains open, but shipping will resume in January.
Hope you find time to get out there to chase your own adventures and enjoy the holiday season. ✌️
#débrouillard #debrouillard
