Sport climbing has become an Olympic event and it consists of three different formats: bouldering, speed, and lead. Each format tests the athletes’ physical and mental capabilities in different ways.
In the bouldering event, athletes climb 4.5m high walls without ropes, aiming to reach the top in the fewest attempts possible within a limited time frame. In speed, athletes race against the clock on a 15m high wall with a five-degree incline, trying to complete the course in under six seconds for men and under seven seconds for women. In lead events, athletes have six minutes to climb as high as they can on a wall over 15m tall without prior knowledge of the route. The routes become increasingly complex and challenging as the event progresses.
During the Tokyo Olympics, each athlete competed in all three disciplines – bouldering, speed, and lead – with their final scores reflecting their overall performance across all competitions. The climber with the lowest combined score made history by winning the first Olympic gold medal in sport climbing.
Looking ahead to Paris 2024, there will be two separate competitions to crown Olympic champions in sport climbing: one competition will combine bouldering and lead events while another competition will focus solely on speed events. This change will bring new opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills and compete for top honors in sport climbing.
Sport climbing at the Olympics is a thrilling spectacle that combines physical prowess with mental strength. With its unique formats and challenging routes, it’s sure to continue captivating audiences around the world for years to come.
