The African Championships, also due to be held in the Egyptian capital, have also been cancelled.

The decision was taken by the Egyptian Modern Pentathlon Federation and has been backed by the the world governing body.

"[The] UIPM agrees with this decision for the wellbeing for its athletes, officials and coaches as due to the political unrest in the country this could not be guaranteed," they said in a statement.

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak resigned yesterday after more than 30 years in office following several days of civil protest, with millions of citizens flooding onto the streets of Cairo.

The event in Cairo, which was due to take place between March 24-27 and was the second stop World Cup circuit, was supposed to be an important stepping stone on the road to London for modern pentathletes.

Britain's top modern pentathletes were among those who were due to take part.

Instead of replacing the event, the UIPM has chosen to just skip it and use four World Cup competitions instead of the planned five.

The World Cup series is due to begin in Palm Springs, California, on February 23.

But the UIPM is hoping to find another host for the African Championships, which also offers qualification points for London, to replace the event in Cairo, which had been scheduled for March 12 and 13.

"[We are] now calling on other African Nations to come forward to organise this important Championship which is an Olympic Qualifier," the UIPM said.

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