What You Know About Climbing Olympics in Paris Olympics 2024
The excitement for the 2024 Paris Olympics is building, and climbing is poised to capture the spotlight once again. Here’s a comprehensive guide to what you need to know about climbing at the upcoming Games.
When Did Climbing Become an Olympic Sport?
Sport climbing made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, a milestone in its history. It was first introduced at the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games in 2018. The addition of climbing, alongside skateboarding and surfing, was part of a broader effort to diversify the Olympic program and appeal to younger audiences. Climbing will continue to feature in the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics.
How Does Olympic Climbing Work?
Olympic climbing is divided into three distinct disciplines: bouldering, lead climbing, and speed climbing.
- Bouldering: Climbers tackle a 4.5-meter wall (approximately 15 feet) without the use of ropes. They must complete the climb in the shortest time and with the fewest attempts. Success is measured by the number of problems solved and holds reached.
- Lead Climbing: Competitors climb as high as they can on a 15-meter wall (about 50 feet) within six minutes. The climber’s score is based on how many holds they can grasp, with points increasing for each hold higher up the wall.
- Speed Climbing: This event features one-on-one elimination rounds. Athletes race up a 15-meter wall, with a five-degree incline, aiming to complete the climb in the shortest time. The best men can climb in under six seconds, while top women generally complete it in under seven seconds.
Changes from Tokyo 2020
In contrast to the Tokyo Games, where speed climbing was combined with bouldering and lead into a single score, the Paris 2024 Games will feature speed climbing as a separate event. This new format allows athletes to focus more on their specialties. The scoring system has also been updated: climbers in bouldering can score a maximum of 200 points based on the zones they reach and the number of problems solved, while lead climbing points accumulate based on the height reached.
Top Team USA Athletes
- Sam Watson: At just 18, Watson is the current men’s speed world record holder with a time of 4.79 seconds. He finished 2023 ranked eighth globally and secured gold at the Pan American Games in Santiago.
- Natalia Grossman: The top-ranked women’s bouldering climber of 2023, Grossman also excelled in the combined boulder and lead category, where she finished fifth. She won gold in both boulder and lead at the Pan American Games.
- Brooke Raboutou: With a fifth-place finish in Tokyo, Raboutou is a prominent contender. The daughter of former climbing champions Robyn Erbesfield-Raboutou and Didier Raboutou, she is fluent in French and carries a strong pedigree in the sport.
Top International Athletes
- Janja Garnbret (Slovenia): The reigning women’s gold medalist returns to defend her title in lead climbing and bouldering.
- Aleksandra Miroslav (Poland): Known for her speed, Miroslav is a key competitor on the women’s side.
- Ai Mori (Japan): A formidable force in bouldering and lead climbing, Mori is a strong contender for medals.
- Rahmad Adi Mulyon and Veddriq Leonardo (Indonesia): Both climbers are expected to challenge for the top spots in men’s speed climbing.
- Jakob Schubert (Australia): A four-time world champion, Schubert is a top podium contender in men’s lead climbing and bouldering.
The Road to Paris
As the Paris 2024 Olympics approach, climbers around the world are honing their skills and strategies. With climbing’s growing popularity and evolving formats, the climbing events promise to be some of the most exciting and dynamic of the Games. Keep an eye on the climbers to watch and the thrilling competitions ahead!