Sport climbing is expected to return with a bang at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, building on its triumphant Tokyo debut. Here’s all the information you need to know about the sport, the top American competitors, and the climbers to watch internationally.
The Olympic Journey of Climbing
Climbing made its official Olympic debut in Tokyo 2021, having captured the attention of spectators during the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. The addition of the sport, along with skateboarding and surfing, was intended to draw a younger audience and give the Games a modern, urban feel.
The Operation of Olympic Climbing
There are three different Olympic sport climbing disciplines:
- Bouldering: Competitors use no ropes to climb a 15-foot wall, trying to reach the summit in the fewest attempts possible within a set amount of time.
- Lead: Within six minutes, climbers take on a 50-foot wall in an attempt to reach the highest point.
- Speed: A head-to-head competition with a small overhang on a 50-foot wall. Expert climbers can do this in a matter of seconds.
A significant modification for Paris 2024 is the addition of speed climbing as a distinct event, which enables competitors to focus on their favorite discipline. Lead and bouldering are still merged.
There has also been a revision to the scoring system. Climbers in bouldering receive points for reaching specific “zones” and the top hold; attempts are deducted from total points. Points are given in lead for each hold that is made; higher holds are worth more points.
The Climbing Stars of Team USA
- Sam Watson: At 4.79 seconds, the 18-year-old sensation owns the men’s speed climbing world record. He won gold in the Pan American Games and finished eighth in the men’s speed competition in 2023.
- Natalia Grossman: A formidable presence in women’s bouldering, she placed first in the sport the previous year and fifth when both bouldering and lead were combined. Grossman won two gold medals at the Pan-American Games as well.
- Brooke Raboutou: Raboutou, who finished sixth in Tokyo and is fluent in French, is a former world cup climbing champion’s daughter. She will be competing in the Paris Games.
Watch Out for These International Climbers
- Janja Garnbret (Slovenia): The current gold medallist for women, Garnbret is expected to be a fierce challenger in the bouldering and lead events.
- Poland’s Aleksandra Miroslav is a strong competitor in the women’s sprint.
- Ai Mori, a Japanese boulderer and leader, is a powerful force.
- Veddriq Leonardo of Indonesia and Rahmad Adi Mulyono of Malaysia will both try to upset Watson’s hegemony in the men’s race.
- Franz Schubert, an Austrian: Schubert, a four-time world champion, is favored to place first in the men’s bouldering/lead event.
An exciting display of power, agility, and mental toughness is anticipated in the 2024 Olympic climbing competition, which will feature new rules, a diverse group of athletes, and the breathtaking background of Paris. Experienced climbers as well as those new to the sport should not miss this event.
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