A Complete Guide to the 2024 Olympic Sport Climbing Event

Olympic Sport Climbing made its historic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and with the Paris 2024 Olympics around the corner, the excitement is building up once again. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about Olympic sport climbing in 2024, from the event’s format to the athletes to watch, and how the sport is evolving. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or a curious spectator, this comprehensive guide will get you up to speed.

Paris 2024 will showcase a revamped event schedule and points system, and anticipation is high. Climbing has gained immense popularity in recent years, and people worldwide are looking forward to what is sure to be a thrilling competition between these top-notch athletes. Here’s everything you need to know about climbing at the 2024 Olympics!

What is Olympic Sport Climbing?

Sport climbing is a discipline that focuses on speed, endurance, and agility. Unlike traditional climbing, sport climbing is performed on artificial walls with fixed anchors. In the Olympics, sport climbing is divided into three main events:

Lead Climbing: Climbers aim to reach the highest point on a wall within a fixed time. This is a completion where need speed and practice to climb fast and heist points to win the game. 

Speed Climbing: Two climbers race against each other on identical routes to see who can reach the top the fastest. There is also a time limit for men and women to complete this speed-climbing sport in the Olympics.

Bouldering: The athlete Climbers attempt to solve as many fixed routes (problems) on a low wall within a set time. This sport needs practice and strong willpower to win. 

The Olympic Format: Combining Skills

In Paris 2024, the format of Olympic sport climbing will be different from its debut in Tokyo. The event will be split into two medal events: Lead and Bouldering Combined and Speed Climbing. Each climber’s performance in these events will be critical in determining their final standing.

Lead and Bouldering Combined: Competitors must excel in both disciplines, requiring a mix of endurance, technique, and problem-solving skills.

In the bouldering and lead combined event, athletes will scale 4.5-meter walls without ropes, attempting to complete four problems in the shortest amount of time and with the fewest attempts. The maximum points for the boulder phase are 100; each of the four problems is worth up to 25.

• Athletes earn 5 points for reaching the first zone, 10 for the second, and the full 25 for the top.
• A tenth of a point (0.1) is deducted for each failed attempt to reach the next scoring position.

In the lead event, competitors climb a 15-meter wall with an overhang, attempting to reach and clip the top within six minutes. Athletes have six minutes to look at the wall before the climbing begins. The maximum points for the lead phase are 100.

An athlete receives points for the final 40 moves of a route.

Counting from the top, the last 10 moves earn 4 points each, the previous 10 moves earn 3 each, the previous 10 moves earn 2 each, and the previous 10 moves earn 1 point each.

Moves below the final 40 do not collect any points.

• Speed Climbing: This event is all about explosive power and quick reflexes, with climbers aiming to reach the top in mere seconds.

Most importantly, In speed climbing, athletes race against one another side by side using the current standard single-elimination competition speed climbing format. The speed climbing wall is 15 meters with a five-degree overhang. The placement of holds is always the same, unlike boulder and lead climbing, so competitors rely on muscle memory from practice and must continually find ways to shorten their times. 

• This competitor must complete their ascent in under six seconds for men and under seven seconds for women. There are two different rules for male athletes and female athletes in the Olympics.
• In the earlier rounds, climbers race against the clock and those with the fastest times continue on, whereas in the finals, climbers race head-to-head against each other to determine the winner.

 

Olympic Sport Climbing Athletes to Watch in 2024

The sport has seen some phenomenal athletes who have become household names in the climbing world. As we approach Paris 2024, here are a few climbers to keep an eye on:

• Janja Garnbret: is the Slovenian sensation who dominated the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, winning the gold medal in the women’s combined event.
• Adam Ondra: A legend in the sport, Ondra is known for his incredible versatility and has been a favourite in both lead climbing and bouldering.
• Brooke Raboutou: The American climber made waves in Tokyo and is expected to be a strong contender in Paris.

How to Watch and Follow Olympic Sport Climbing in 2024

With the sport’s growing popularity, there will be plenty of ways to watch and follow the events. The official Olympic broadcasting partners will cover the events live, and various platforms will provide real-time updates, highlights, and in-depth analysis.

The Evolution of Olympic Sport Climbing

The inclusion of sport climbing in the Olympics has brought the sport to a global audience. Since its debut, there have been discussions on the format, the challenges of combining different climbing disciplines, and how the sport might evolve in future Olympics. The Paris 2024 games will be an important milestone in this journey, showcasing the sport’s growth and the athletes’ incredible talents.

Conclusion

Olympic sport climbing in 2024 promises to be an exhilarating event, with athletes pushing the limits of what’s possible on the wall. Whether you’re a die-hard climbing fan or new to the sport, this guide has covered the essentials to get you ready for the competition. Stay tuned, and enjoy the thrilling spectacle of Olympic sport climbing!