Sweden exits Miss Universe pageant

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 25 (UPI) -- This year's Miss Universe pageant won't have a contestant from Sweden because the event is behind the times, organizers in the Scandinavian nation say.

"The modernization of the international competition has been significantly slower than the Swedish contest, although we see signs of change on horizon," Swedish organizer Panos Papadopoulos said in a statement Wednesday. "Until the parent organization catches up, we have chosen not to participate this year."

The decision to pull out of the Miss Universe contest, which is set for May 29 in Mexico City, followed the disclosure the newly crowned Miss Sweden, Isabel Lestapier Winqvist, posed in a swimsuit for the Swedish edition of the men's magazine FHM last year, The Local reported. Papadopoulos said previously the photos were out of line with the contest's new modern image, and he was considering removing her crown.

His latest statement left it unclear whether Lestapier Winqvist will keep her crown.

The updated Miss Sweden contest has no swimwear competition and focuses on attracting "intelligent and well-educated candidates" who can serve as representatives of and role models for the youth of Sweden.